Leeds Knights II remain the team to catch after impressive NIHL North One start
DESPITE slipping to their first defeat of the campaign, Leeds Knights II continue to be the team to catch at the top of the NIHL North One standings.
A dramatic 6-5 win in overtime at Sheffield Scimitars on Saturday - courtesy of a Ben Elliott strike - was followed by a 3-2 defeat at Hull Jets 24 hours later.
The Knights had opened up their campaign with impressive home wins over the Jets and Billingham Stars and built on that with another performance full of promise in South Yorkshire.
With less than two minutes remaining, they trailed 5-4 before Josh Hartley levelled matters after good work from Evan Bradon and Jake Wigginton.
Hartley was again involved for the overtime winner, combining with Jonas Bennett to set up Elliott for his decisive one-timer.
After the Jets took a second period lead on home ice, the Knights hit back through Ollie Straw and then took the lead through Bradon.
But they were denied late on when the Jets rallied to take the points with late strikes from Kieran Beach and Ethan Daintith.
Knights II assistant coach Seth Bennettt said: “On Saturday we didn't bring the energy and intensity we would expect from this group.
“However, the fact they came from behind five times was remarkable and to score with the goalie pulled and then again in overtime was a really good sign for us.
“On Sunday we played much better and huge credit goes to the players, against a strong Jets lineup and with some key players missing.
“We are so inexperienced and young, every night players are being put in new situations and their level of compete and belief in Hull was terrific and we as a coaching team are really proud of them.”
Leeds return to home ice this weekend when they host Widnes Wild on Saturday. They then hit the road again the next day when travelling to Deeside Dragons, who opened up their season on Sunday with a 12-2 win at home to Sheffield.