Leeds Knights Sam Gospel ageing like a 'fine wine' says coach Ryan Aldridge
LEEDS KNIGHTS boss Ryan Aldridge believes netminder Sam Gospel is ageing like a “fine wine” after producing back-to-back match-winning performances for the three-time NIHL National champions.
Gospel was a huge reason behind the Knights enjoying a four-point weekend when following up Saturday’s 4-1 win at leaders Swindon Wildcats - the hosts’ first defeat of the season - before edging out Milton Keynes Lightning at Elland Road Ice Arena.
In both games, the Knights were outshot - more so on home when Gospel turned away 55 of the 57 shots on his goal.
It was the latest in a long line of standout performances produced by the 31-year-old, the kind that have back-stopped the Knights to five trophies in the last five years under Aldridge.
“Sam Gospel won that game for us tonight,” said Aldridge, “However you want to dress it up, Sam won that game tonight - just phenomenal.
“The older he becomes, the better he is getting - like a fine wine, he’s maturing in himself which I think he has come a long way with since I first came here.
“He just gives you a chance to win every single night and (against Milton Keynes) we’d have been in a different spot if it hadn’t been for him.
For Aldridge, his team’s two performances at the weekend took him from one extreme to another.
“In Swindon, I don’t think we’ve played like that for a while to be honest,” he added. “I thought we were absolutely unbelievable from start to finish.
“I didn’t think we were great (on Sunday) – especially in the key areas – and I was a bit upset with some players’ performances, but we found a way to win.
"Overall it was two massive wins for us.”