Deeside Dragons look to open December in winning fashion

Last time out in Ice Hockey’s North Division One, the Dragons played two matches and these contests yielded a mammoth 30 goals.

It’s not as busy this time around for Deeside, who will open December’s programme with Sunday’s home clash against Sheffield Scimitars.

Dragons, who began last weekend by trashing Leeds Knights 14-7, will be hoping for better fortunes after their last home match resulted in a 5-4 defeat at the hands of Widnes Wild.

“It was that second period,” admitted assistant head coach Matt Compton, with Widnes grabbing four of their goals during that crucial 20-minute spell. “We made some poor decisions; it was so frustrating.”

Looking ahead to this weekend, Compton added: “No travelling, but we have got to sort of reset and come with the right mindset.

“We can’t look at where Sheffield are in the table. It’s a home game and one game, and we definitely need to get back to it.

“We can win every game, but it’s whether we turn up right. We have probably just got to be a bit mentally stronger, like earlier in the season.

“We need to get back to that consistency.”

While Billingham Stars hold a nine-point advantage at the top of the standings, things are tight amongst the chasing pack.

Just five points separate second-placed Blackburn Hawks and Whitley Warriors, in sixth, while the Dragons are at the heart of this group in fourth position.

“It’s really tight,” added Compton. “Blackburn beating Billingham helped the league a little bit.

“We have still got to play Billingham three times and Blackburn twice. There’s a long way to go.”

Today: Hull v Nottingham. Sunday: Leeds v Blackburn; Nottingham v Hull; Widnes v Whitley.

Deeside Ducks and Coventry Blaze are becoming familiar opponents in Division Two North.

Last weekend, Blaze ran out 17-2 winners in their home clash with Deeside, and the Ducks are looking to bounce back at home tonight.

Other fixtures: Billingham v Sheffield; Kingston v Nottingham; Telford v Bradford.