Low expectations could see Leeds Knights 2's young guns prosper against high-flying rivals
AS weekends go, it probably doesn’t get much tougher for Leeds Knights 2.
Last Saturday’s 11-2 defeat at home to second-placed Deeside Dragons extended the Knights’ losing streak to nine games, leaving them sat second-bottom in the NIHL North One regular season standings.
They sit three points off Nottingham Lions, who occupy the eighth and final play-off spot but, with 16 games still remaining - including two against the Lions - there is no reason to write off their post-season chances yet.
On paper, their hopes of ending their losing run before the two-week festive break look bleak given the two road trips they are faced with this weekend.
Saturday sees them travel to leaders Blackburn Hawks before a trip to third-placed Solihull Barons 24 hours later.
Head coach Davey Lawrence is aware of the size of the task facing his young team on both days, but believes they can head into the fixtures with nothing to lose.
“It’s almost a free hit and I said that to the players at practice,” said Lawrence.”Yes, it’s a difficult weekend, yes there is some travel involved and yes, we’re going to be tired - but nobody is expecting us to do anything.
“Obviously, I am bothered about results, but it is not the be all and end all. Mentally, as long as we approach games the right way and we put a performance in - almost regardless of what the scoreline is - that is all I can ask for, because then I know they are learning.
“It’s when the performance doesn’t come and the mentality isn’t right, then it obviously flips the other way and I then get a little bit frustrated.”
Blackburn welcome the Knights sat in a comfortable position at the top of the standings, 10 points clear of second-placed Deeside, with last Sunday’s 1-0 win at Widnes Wild stretching their winning streak to eight games.
They have a 100 per cent record at home, their only two defeats of the season coming on the road at Solihull and Deeside.
Solihull, who won 9-4 in Leeds on November 8, got off to a flying start to the season when winning their first 10 games.
But they host Leeds having lost their last three games - twice against Blackburn and one at Deeside last Sunday - and with only one win in their last six outings.
"Blackburn is always a tough place to go, although we played well there at the start of the season,” added Lawrence.
"Mentally, Solihull can be draining - it’s damp, it’s cold, it’s a very old building, there’s no glass around the ice and the changing rooms are pretty small.
"But that is another mental challenge that the players have to rise above because, ultimately, it’s just another game of hockey.”