AN injury to Garry Simpson overshadowed Deeside Dragons’ latest outing in the league.

The Dragons headed north as they sought a third victory this season versus Whitley Warriors.

It was the Warriors who came out on top 12-2 on this occasion, but Dragons’ thoughts were with Simpson.

Whitley were 3-0 to the good in the second period when Simpson went down hard and was injured. He was taken off the ice and then was transported to hospital.

“It was worrying, especially when he was carried off on a stretcher,” said Deeside Dragons’ assistant head coach Matt Compton.

“His girlfriend was there as well.

“Our number one aim is for everyone to go home safe. Winning takes a back seat to that.

“Their families come first. He is okay and we will assess him.”

Warriors stretched their advantage to 6-1 by the end of the second period, with Deeside Dragons’ goal coming from Matt Wainwright.

While Whitley scored six more times in the closing period, there was one bright spot for the Dragons.

Cody Ogden, who has been doing well with the Deeside Ducks this season, grabbed his first ever goal for the Dragons with just under eight minutes left to play.

Simpson was brought in by the Dragons last month and he has proved to be an excellent acquisition, signing from NIHL side Bristol Pitbulls.

Other results: Billingham 15 Widnes 2; Hull 5 Nottingham 1; Sheffield 3 Solihull 4; Billingham 6 Hull 1; Leeds 1 Nottingham 7; Solihull 3 Blackburn 8; Widnes 2 Sheffield 5.

Deeside Ducks put in a spirited performance, but they lost out 11-1 in their encounter against Laidler Division title favourites Telford Tigers.

While this might sound like a heavy defeat, the Tigers won the away game in Shropshire 24-4 just two weeks ago so, in comparison, this was actually quite an improvement.

Telford took the lead after just 16 seconds and never really looked like losing.

They were 4-0 up at the end of the first period and leading 6-0 by the second interval.

Deeside were outshot by some four-to-one over the course of the game and, were it not for spells of staunch team defending and an impressive performance by Paul Jones in goal, the score would undoubtedly have been much higher.

The Tigers hit three quickfire goals within 50 seconds early in the third period to further extend their lead but the Ducks finally broke their duck at 49.13 when Luke Wainwright fired in a rocket shot from outside the blueline that beat the Telford netminder to record his first senior goal.

Two late goals put Telford past double figures.

Deeside Ducks are away to Coventry Blaze this Saturday and they will then conclude the month at home to the same opposition the following Saturday, November 30.

Other results: Coventry 3 Kingston 2 (overtime); Sutton 6 Billingham 2; Telford 8 Altrincham 2; Altrincham 6 Bradford 0; Nottingham 1 Sutton 3; Sheffield 1 Billingham 3.