Ryan Aldridge backs Leeds Knights to cope with absence of suspended captain Kieran Brown
LEEDS KNIGHTS head coach Ryan Aldridge admits missing Kieran Brown for the first weekend of the NIHL National play-offs is a “big loss” - but backs his players to deliver against Telford Tigers.
The Knights’ captain and leading points-scorer was suspended following an incident in last week’s 6-5 win at Bristol Pitbulls.
Brown clashed with Bristol defenceman Calum McGill in the eighth minute and was initially assessed a five-minute major for interference.
The call was referred to NIHL National's DOPS Review panel, who on Thursday upgraded it to a cross-check and handed Brown a three-game ban.
He served the first game of the suspension by missing last Sunday’s 5-1 home win over Peterborough Phantoms.
He will be available for next Saturday’s home game against Hull Seahawks.
Aldridge acknowledged Brown’s loss, but has seen his team prove time and again that they are about more than one player. Of the 15 games Brown has missed this season, the Knights have won nine.
“It is a big loss,” added Aldridge. “It’s tough not to have him in the line-up, but it is what it is. He is obviously a big player for us.
“I think when you break down the games that he has missed and against the teams that we’ve played against in those games, the boys have had to find and have found a different way to win – so that should see us go into this weekend with a positive mindset.”
Aldridge welcomes back veteran forward Matt Bissonnette, who has been out for the last three games, during which time he has added an additional voice on the bench.
Netminder Sam Gospel, an ever-present during the regular season until the last four games when he played just the one period, will also be back in the starting line-up.