DEESIDE DRAGONS have paid the perfect tribute to team photographer Peter Sheffield.

Dragons opened their December programme with a 4-1 success at home to Sheffield Scimitars and the success was dedicated to Sheffield, who passed away last month.

A minute’s applause was held prior to the match in memory of Sheffield and assistant head coach Matt Compton said: “He was such a good guy. He had such a great sense of humour.

“This guy did so much for us and all that was because he wanted to do it. He was such a nice guy and we’ll miss him.”

Deeside were in control of proceedings from the off and they managed to build-up a two-goal advantage prior to the first break.

Charles Phillips broke the deadlock and this was followed by a goal from Jakub Hajek.

Dragons continued to control the match in the second period and Jake Witkowski was on the mark to make it 3-0.

James Parsons duly added a fourth goal, before Scimitars pulled one back late in the second period.

No further goals would arrive as Deeside comfortably saw the game out.

Other results: Hull 2 Nottingham 4; Leeds 5 Blackburn 7; Nottingham 2 Hull 3; Widnes 1 Whitley 4.

What a difference a week makes.

Deeside Ducks put in a battling performance as they narrowly lost out 3-2 to Coventry Blaze at Deeside Leisure Centre.

When the two teams met a week earlier in Coventry, the Blaze had come out easy 17-2 winners, so this was certainly a great improvement, but it will probably still be viewed as a disappointing result.

The first period was goal-less and it took until the 27th minute for the deadlock to be broken when Chris Jones raced straight out of the penalty box to slot the puck home for a Ducks’ powerplay goal.

The lead lasted just two-and-a-half minutes, however, as Coventry went on to equalise, but a Stewart Cutting goal on 36 minutes edged the Ducks back in front.

This game was littered with niggly penalties for both sides and the Blaze took advantage of a powerplay to equalise again with 90 seconds left in the second period.

The score was finely balanced at 2-2 with one period left to play but a major slashing penalty for the Ducks on 47 minutes left them shorthanded for an extended five-minute spell and the Blaze managed to fire in what would turn out to be the winning goal.

The final minutes were played at a furious pace with the Ducks pushing forward trying to force a late equaliser and Jace Gledhill performing heroics in the Deeside net to keep Coventry at bay – but there was no further scoring and the game finished in a win for the Blaze.

Ducks are next in action this Sunday when they travel away to Altrincham Aces.

Deeside are next at home on Saturday, December 14 when they come up against Bradford Bulldogs

Other results: Billingham 7 Sheffield 1; Kingston 6 Nottingham 2; Telford 5 Bradford 3.