Leeds Knights' NIHL National grind continues with twin test against Hull Seahawks
HAVING already got the better of the only two teams above them in NIHL National, it was perhaps somewhat harsh on a jaded Leeds Knights to have been denied adding to that at Romford Raiders on Sunday - their third game in as many nights.
They looked to have done enough for at least a point until a high-sticking call on Matt Bissonnette handed the hosts a late power play opportunity.
With just 18 seconds remaining, the Raiders made it count, Adam Laishram beating Sam Gospel to secure a 4-3 win vital to the Raiders’ hopes of making the play-offs.
The Knights have realistically already made the post-season – the defeat in Romford more damaging to their already thin hopes of landing a fourth straight regular season title.
The Knights can still catch Swindon Wildcats – who they convincingly beat 6-3 on home ice last Friday ahead of a 2-1 road win at Sheffield Steeldogs – but with just 11 games remaining and an 11-point deficit between the two, it is a tough ask.
Swindon have offered an opening with a three-game losing streak, but it would require that to be extended considerably in order for the Knights – or indeed the second-placed Steeldogs – to take advantage.
Three of the Knights’ remaining games come in the next four days, no let-up offered when they need it most, given their current injury issues.
Back-to-back games against a Hull Seahawks team finally finding some consistency in 2025-26 is perhaps the last thing Leeds need right now. The same can be said for a long road trip to Solway Sharks on Saturday that brings to an end a gruelling stretch of six games in nine days.
But there are no excuses emanating from the Knights camp – they just have to battle through it.
Head coach Ryan Aldridge is proud of his group’s ability to deal with the hectic schedule, acknowledging the effect it has on them – including the impact felt by officiating which, at times, leaves a lot to be desired.
“It was a very tough three days,” said Aldridge. “When you look back at it, the negative side of me is that you dig so deep to get the wins against Swindon and Sheffield – the top two teams – to then give those two points up on Sunday is frustrating.
“I think we could have managed the game in Romford a little bit better, but we’re obviously very tired and I do feel like penalties went against us at key times.
“I’m talking about soft calls, calls that weren’t penalties, ones that came at key moments in the game and that had a direct impact on us.
“It had an impact on how tired we were and it also had an impact on the score.”
The Knights face-off against a Hull team bursting with confidence on the back of a five-game winning streak – their best run of the season – a turnaround that has coincided with them adding Finnish netminder Aleksanteri Heiskanen, who has conceded just one goal in the last two games.
Wednesday night sees the two meet in Hull before they lock horns again at Elland Road on Friday.
The worst-case scenario for the Knights is that two losses bring Hull to within a point of them in the regular season standings.
“It’s not going to be easy, we’re going to have another very short line-up,” added Aldridge, who will be without centre Finn Bradon after he was forced off with a lower-body injury in Romford.
“But we’ll go there, play a strong road game like we did in Sheffield and see what we can get out of it.
“They are very much a form team. Matty has been looking at that line-up all year and he’s made changes for the play-off run. They are hitting form now and the new goalie looks to be a solid addition.”
For Knights’ import forward Owen Sobchak, Wednesday will be a special occasion, returning to the club he served so well for almost two years.
Inn just 115 games, the 32-year-old posted 236 points, 154 of them assists. He finished as NIHL National’s top point scorer last season with 131 points in just 59 games, 93 of those being assists.
Since moving to Leeds, he has posted eight goals and 16 assists in 13 games.
"He’s a competitor and when he plays with that competitive edge, he’s hard to play against, he makes the people around him on the ice better,” added Aldridge. “I’m very happy with him since he came in.
“I’m sure he’s a little bit nervous about going back there after what he did for that club, so I’m sure they’ll treat him right, I know they were upset that he was leaving, so hopefully he and us as a team can have a good night.”