Warriors looking for double

Apr 10 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

WHITLEY Warriors can set up an English National League double by continuing their unbeaten run against Sheffield Spartans tonight.

A 100% start to the North Division One play-offs campaign means one point is all the league champions need in Ice Sheffield this evening to book their place in the finals.

Whitley edged past Sheffield 3-2 in last Sunday’s meeting at Hillheads.

It took their record to five wins out of five against the South Yorkshire outfit this season.

Player-coach Simon Leach has told his side to be more positive tonight than they were when the teams met last week.

The former Newcastle Vipers forward said: “We did move the puck around well at times and that is what we must do in Sheffield.

“I thought we created good chances, but we need to shoot a little more in the next game.

“Five on five we were very comfortable, but we had to kill a lot of penalties, which is very disappointing in a play-off game.

“We dug in deep, gained a result and have given ourselves a good platform to go and finish the job down at their rink in what is now effectively a final.”

The Vipers had been due to entertain Blackburn Hawks tomorrow, but that clash now looks unlikely to happen.

The Hawks – winless from their opening two play-off games – have claimed injuries and suspensions have left them unable to raise a team for the trip to Hillheads.

Whitley are expected to be awarded the points.

Nottingham Lions have already booked their place in the season’s finale by topping Group B of the competition.