Whitley Warriors were not in action over the Christmas period and Simon Leach’s side currently sit in 5th position in NIHL North with a total of 10 points from the 10 games they have played in the league this term. Whitley are only 2 points off 2nd place in the standings though as NIHL North Division 1 is a very competitive league this year with almost every game being a keenly contested affair.
Warriors next game is on Sunday January the 4th (face off 5pm) when the Solway Sharks travel down to Tyneside from the Scottish borders for a crucial league encounter between two of NIHL North’s top teams. Whitley’s last home game against Solway saw the Scottish side skate away with a 1-0 victory despite Warriors putting in a superb display that evening and Warriors will no doubt be looking to get the better of Sharks in their opening game of 2015.
Whitley are then on the road for 3 games as Warriors have away fixtures against Billingham, Sheffield and Sutton, these games look to be crucial match ups as all of the teams the Tynesiders take on have realistic end of season play off ambitions like Simon Leach’s side.
Warriors will then ice in home games against the Spartans from Sheffield and the Minotaurs from Manchester, Whitley end the month with a tough trip away to league leaders the Blackburn Hawks who are yet to lose a game in NIHL North this campaign.
It is hoped that Warriors top scorer from the 2013/14 season Adam Reynolds will be fit to play in the New Year as the prolific forward is recovering well from the broken ankle he suffered early on this season. Adam has been back onto the ice in recent weeks and Whitley’s number 44 is hoping to be fit to take to the ice when Solway visit Hillheads on January 4th.
Once the action gets back underway Whitley could be without some of their more senior players though as the experienced blue liner Daniel Pye could be kept out of the line up due to a hand injury while power forward Jordan Barnes will definitely play no part in Warriors play off push this term as he is out with a knee injury which could see him out of action for the majority of 2015.