The Laidler Division (North 2) Play Offs took place at the Planet Ice Rink in Widnes over the Easter Weekend. This was the third time that the venue had hosted the event – although this time it was acting as a completely neutral venue as the Wild team are now playing in a different division.
The two semi-finals on the Saturday saw league champions Telford Tigers 2 take on Sheffield Titans in the first game and league runners up Hull Jets face Sutton Sting in the later match.
Both games went to league form with Telford comfortably beating 4th place finishers Sheffield 8-4 in their semi, whereas Hull had a more difficult job but eventually managed to see off the Sting in a narrow 3-2 victory.
In the final on Sunday Hull beat Telford 2-1 to add the Play Off title to the league crown that they won 2 years ago before the Covid lockdown kicked in.
Jets import Boris Giba gave Hull a narrow 1-0 lead in the first period and Kieran Robinson doubled the advantage midway through the second.
Telford’s Oliver Hunt pulled a goal back on 54 minutes but the Humbersiders held on to take the win.
The Planet Ice Rink in Widnes will also be hosting the Womens Play Offs over the weekend of 4th & 5th June. This will feature a fascinating 10 games over two days including the semi-finals and finals of the Women’s Elite League, Women’s Premier League and National Division 1 and the Under 16 national final.
The participating teams have not yet been decided as the Women’s season does not finish until the end of May.
(Photo by Lauren Rankin Photography)
