Spartans v Warriors Preview

Dean Holland #14

Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson

Whitley Warriors are on the road this weekend as David Longstaff’s side travel down to Yorkshire to face the Sheffield Spartans at Ice Sheffield on Sunday evening in a NIHL North Division 1 match up that faces off at 6.15pm.

Warriors could well have both Scott Cooper and Kyle Ross back in their line up as both players near full fitness having missed last weekend’s game with Spartans on home ice. Kyle picked up his facial injury during training when he got caught in the face with a skate and the young forward needed an operation however Warriors young number 13 is keen to get back onto the ice as soon as possible and he could well return to the Whitley roster for Sunday’s clash.

Whitley will sadly be without the experienced Dean Holland though as Dean needs an operation so that he can get back to best out on the ice. Dean iced against Spartans for 2 periods last weekend and acquitted himself well playing as a winger on a line with Martin Crammond and Jordan Barnes however it is thought that he will now have a spell on the sidelines.

Whitley and Spartans first game of the 2015/16 campaign took place last weekend when Warriors were able to skate to a 6-0 victory over Martin White’s side at Hillheads. Sheffield will be a tough side to get the better of on their own ice though as the Spartans have already picked up 4 victories at their base this season including impressive successes against sides such as the Telford Tigers and the Billingham Stars.