Leeds Knights with echoes of 2021-22 season as they look to snap losing streak at Basingstoke Bison
LEEDS KNIGHTS head south today looking to snap the team’s worst losing streak since the 2021-22 NIHL National season.
Back then, head coach Ryan Aldridge – installed as successor to the sacked Dave Whistle in mid-January – presided over a seven-game losing streak, a 2-0 defeat at home to Sheffield Steeldogs on the final day of the regular season followed by them losing all six play-off group games to Milton Keynes Lightning, Telford Tigers and Bees IHC.
Thursday’s 3-1 loss in the first leg of the NIHL National Cup final at home to the Steeldogs extended the current losing streak to five games.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash at his former club Basingstoke Bison – who the Knights host on Sunday – Aldridge admitted he sees similarities between now and the closing stages of the team’s inaugural season.
“It feels like my first year here when, for the last 10 games or so, we were just absolutely shattered,” said Aldridge.
“These boys look and feel a bit the same, so we need some time to regroup and rest as much as we can.
“Obviously we haven’t had a losing streak like this for a long, long time and that’s not acceptable from me and I’m sure for most of those guys, it’s not acceptable for them.”
After this weekend, the Knights have just six regular season games remaining.