Leeds Knights boss says the time has arrived for NIHL National champions to raise their game
REGARDLESS of the result in their New Year’s Eve derby at Sheffield Steeldogs, Ryan Aldridge says Leeds Knights will enter 2026 “wiping the slate clean”.
Having impressively dispatched hosts Hull Seahawks 6-1 in the first of three festive Yorkshire derbies on Boxing Day, the Knights were unable to back that up with a home win against the Steeldogs, who headed back down the M1 with a deserved 6-4 win.
Today gives the Knights an opportunity to dish out some swift payback, while also hoping to even the score in the head-to-head series between NIHL National’s second and third-placed teams.
The Steeldogs backed up their win at The Castle on Saturday night with an 8-5 triumph at home to Solway Sharks the following night, opening up a seven-point gap on Leeds, who have two games in hand.
A win for the Steeldogs on New Year’s Eve would not only give them a more significant advantage over the Knights, but also see them leapfrog leaders Swindon Wildcats to go top of the standings for the first time this season.
And while Knights’ head coach Aldridge viewed the damage done in front of a near sellout crowd on home ice as largely self-inflicted, he believes the turn of the year is when his team traditionally starts to produce their best hockey.
The nearing of a return to the fray for long-term absentees Mac Howlett (illness) and Jordan Griffin (injury) is another reason for Aldridge’s optimism.
“I think the back end of the season probably suits us,” said Aldridge, ahead of a pivotal five games in 11 days for the Knights which includes both legs of their NIHL National Cup semi-final against Swindon. “I think we always raise our game.
“It’s a case of starting the New Year afresh, we’ve got to look at the Cup semi-final – but there are lots of games still to be played.
“Given the injuries we’ve had, to be sitting where we’re sitting (in the table), we should be proud of that but I think when we reflect on it, some of the games we’ve given up – like on Saturday against Sheffield – we’ve lost them.
“We will hopefully get Mac and Jordan back in the line-up again soon and then we can see what we can accomplish after that - but, again, it’s just about wiping the slate clean and going for it.”