SOME you win and some you lose.
It turned out to be a mixed weekend for the Deeside Dragons in North Division One action.
A busy spell opened with a 5-2 triumph versus Sheffield Scimitars on their travels, however Dragons then suffered a 6-3 reverse at the hands of Blackburn Hawks 24 hours later.
The opening period at Sheffield turned out to be a close one and it ended with the scoreline at 2-2.
Brodie Jesson and Jared Dickinson helped Deeside to open up a two-goal advantage before the Scimitars hit back.
Andy McKinney set up Jesson to regain the lead for the visitors in the second period and Gary Dixon’s strike gave Dragons some breathing space in the final period.
McKinney put the gloss on Deeside’s triumph with the fifth goal.
“A big win in Sheffield for the boys, lifted up by an incredible travelling fanbase from Deeside!” said a post on Deeside Dragons’ Facebook page.
“Safe travels home to all our incredible fans.”
Reflecting on the game, assistant head coach Matt Compton said: “They’re a good side and I think their league position doesn’t do them justice.
“They are well drilled and a young side.
“We pushed through that one and put in a decent performance.”
The following day and the Dragons tackled Blackburn Hawks for the second time in the space of a week.
Starting as he had finished things off the previous evening, McKinney had Deeside in the lead in the first period.
Blackburn equalised, but Dragons hit the lead once again through captain James Parsons.
Hawks responded once again to make sure the first period ended up 2-2.
Dragons took the lead for the third time courtesy of Dickinson’s effort in the second period, only for Blackburn to score twice to take a narrow advantage into the final period of the contest.
Two more goals completed the visitors’ victory, although the match was closer than the 6-3 scoreline suggests.
A post on Dragons’ Facebook page said: “A tough, fast game, closer than the scoreline suggests. Power play goals made all the difference in this one.
“We want to thank all our amazing fans who filled the Den tonight, you were incredible!
“Safe travels home to the Blackburn team and supporters, who had a great presence tonight.”
Compton added: “The atmosphere was great and there was a really good crowd in.
“On another night, we would have won the game.
“The scoreline flattered them a bit and their goalie had a decent game.
“It just wasn’t our night.”
Other results: Billingham Stars 7 Nottingham Lions 1; Blackburn Hawks 5 Whitley Warriors 1; Hull Jets 3 Solihull Barons 6; Billingham Stars 12 Widnes Wild 2; Solihull Barons 8 Sheffield Scimitars 1; Whitley Warriors 8 Nottingham Lions 3.
Cardiff Devils claimed a comfortable 6-0 outcome from their Elite League meeting with Fife Flyers.
Cole Ully grabbed a hat-trick for the Devils and he was joined on the scoresheet by Cole Sanford, Joey Martin and Joshua Waller.
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