Leeds Knights find their 'spark' again in time to help fuel NIHL National play-off ambitions
IN WHAT has been Leeds Knights’ most testing campaign since their first in NIHL National back in 2021-22, head coach Ryan Aldridge believes his players have come out the other side better for it.
Unlike the three previous seasons, which brought five trophies including three regular season league crowns, this year the Knights have had to learn again how to go without.
A third-placed finish in the league, coupled with losing their NIHL National Cup title to Sheffield Steeldogs represents a significant disappointment when compared to what has gone before.
Injuries - something which affects all teams at one point or another during any season - have played a bigger part than normal in the Knights’ 2025-26 story but, in turn, that has provided opportunities for others - generally those aged 18 and under - to come to the fore.
There is one last chance for the Knights to avoid what would be only their second season without silverware and while it will be a tall order to reclaim the play-off crown they won back in 2023, Aldridge believes his players are in “the right place’ ahead of getting their post-season campaign underway against Telford Tigers this weekend.
“We’ve had some struggles but I feel like we’ve come out of that well and there is a ‘go for it’ mentality among the group at the moment,” said Aldridge, ahead of Telford’s visit to Elland Road tonight (face-off 6.30pm).
“It’s not a case of ‘over-achieving’ because I think that is too harsh a word on people, but the young boys are playing really well, the older guys are really happy for them - some guys have had to step up into different roles and they are doing well in those roles.
“Guys are scoring big goals and everybody is supporting each other through that.
“That’s how it should be, obviously, but it isn’t how it always has been this year.
“The togetherness is really there at the moment and between some of the young boys and some of the old boys, the relationships that are being built are very rewarding in both directions and that is great to see.”
Based on where the teams finished the regular season - Telford came in seventh - Leeds probably go into the double-header weekend as favourites but, this being the play-offs, Aldridge is having none of it.
The Knights edged the five-game series 3-2 but those two losses were heavy ones - including at home on the opening day of the season when they were beaten 7-4.
However, a 4-2 win almost two weeks ago in Telford and the performances last weekend when beating Bristol and Peterborough have given Aldridge confidence going into tonight’s first meeting of the post-season.
“I liked our game against Telford that weekend,” he added. “I think the way we’ve been the last couple of weeks - we’ve been through that spell where we looked really drained and tired and a bit at the end of our tether because of injuries - we’ve got through that as a group.
“There’s a spark in the locker room - as in the room is loud when you’re in there. That is always a good sign.
“And the bench is positive these last few games. We’ve got ourselves into a situation which I’m really enjoying being in and I believe the boys are really up for it.”