Leeds Knights urged to 'bring more' and stop relying on netminder Sam Gospel so much

The Knights emerged from their latest NIHL National two-game weekend with four points and joint top of the standings with Milton Keynes Lightning.

A workmanlike 4-1 win over Bees IHC on home ice on Saturday was followed by a 7-3 victory on the road at Solway Sharks a little under 24 hours later.

But, despite another maximum return, Aldridge is still looking for more from his team, although it is clear that Gospel is currently one of the few exceptions.

“Over the weekend, I think we’ve done enough to win,” said Aldridge ahead of Tuesday night’s Yorkshire derby at Sheffield Steeldogs. “Gossy was outstanding for both games, but we’ve got to stop relying on him being so good back there.

“In Solway, I don’t think it was our best performance. Guys have to start bringing more, in the grey areas, in the soft areas.

“We’ve just got to find a way to get everybody going at the same time. We’re up and down right now and we’ve got to come together as a group. We keep talking about it and it is something that we need to address.”

The Knights go into Tuesday’s clash at Ice Sheffield as the form team and with a recent 5-0 win on home ice over their local rivals, who lost 5-3 at home to Peterborough on Saturday.

The visitors will also have a new face in their line-up, British forward Jordan Buesa having been added to their ranks on a two-way deal with Elite League outfit Glasgow Clan.

Aldridge expects it to be a tough assignment against a Steeldogs team hurting from their 5-3 home defeat to Peterborough Phantoms,a game in which they took the lead on three separate occasions.

“It’s a massive game for us,” added the Knights’ head coach. “They are massive points that we need if we want to be successful this year.”