Leeds Knights remain in with shout of being NIHL National's Christmas No 1

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A hugely impressive 7-2 win on Sunday for Matty Davies' second-bottom Hull Seahawks over visiting Peterborough Phantoms meant the Knights remained top, with their closest rivals unable to edge ahead for what would have been the first time this season.

Make no mistake, it is getting very tight at the top, with Milton Keynes Lightning now just one point behind the top two, while Sheffield Steeldogs ensured another four-point weekend leaves them just six points farther back in fourth place.

But for Leeds Knights to remain ahead of the pack at this point is perhaps a fair reflection of the brilliant start to the season they have enjoyed.

LEADING MAN: Cole Shudra broke through the 50-point mark for the season with his four-goal haul against Bees IHC on Saturday. Picture courtesy of Oliver Portamento

Just one loss in regulation and three defeats in total from 24 games is good going by anyone’s standards.

Only Milton Keynes can overhaul them at the top before Christmas, Tim Wallace’s side knowing a win at home to Raiders on Thursday night will be enough to edge them ahead.

On Saturday, in an at times frenetic encounter at Elland Road Ice Rink against second-bottom Bees IHC, it was Cole Shudra again to the fore, plundering four goals and breaking through the magical 50-point mark for the season so far.

In an 8-6 victory, it was also a memorable night for captain Kieran Brown, who scored twice, taking him to 100 goals for the club.

TON UP: Kieran Brown broke through the 100-goal mark for Leeds Knights during Saturday's win over Bees IHC. Picture courtesy of Oliver Portamento

It was Shudra who got the ball rolling at 3.31 and, after Ryan Webb had equalised at 9.31, Brown put his team ahead again just over six minutes later with his landmark strike.

Shudra then doubled up to make it 3-1 at 17.05.

The Bees were level within three minutes of the second period opening though through two goals from Brendan Walkom, but Leeds were soon two goals to the good again through Matt Haywood and then Shudra – with his hat-trick strike – with 26.01 on the clock. The visitors again hauled themselves level, this time through Ben Pitchley and a second for Webb, although they were to trail by two for a third time by the end of 40 minutes when Zach Brooks and then Brown scored.

Alan Lack made it a one-goal game at 43.30 but, once Shudra grabbed his fourth just over seven minutes later, the Knights were able to see out the game.