Warriors² take the W against the Knights
On Saturday 28th March 2026 our Warriors² team welcomed Hull Knights B to Planet Ice for this IHSC Cup fixture.
This was the Warriors third fixture in the IHSC Cup, having played both previous games against the Sheffield Ice Tigers. The Warriors fell short in both those games so they were keen to pick up their first points of the season.
This was the first ever meeting between the two teams, so our guys had no idea of what to expect from the Knights. However, teams from Hull are usually strong so they knew they would need to be at their best to have a chance of winning this one.
This was also the start of a double-header weekend as the Warriors were due to entertain the Pollington Nomads in a challenge game the following day (game report to follow).
Dressed players
Lewis Pickering (NM), Howard Barwick (C), Luke Cadman, James Way, Mo Lin, Tim Lyndon-Belt, Stu Nelson, Jamie Thurston, Rhys Shears, Petr Dostal, Ivans Lebedjoks, Matt Bolan, Sarah Djuric, Gareth Lumley, Dexter Duffy-Howard, Simon Davis, Chris Hamilton, Arek Koziel, Cain Turner, David Gorog and Andrew Everson.
1st period
The Warriors couldn’t have asked for a tougher start, conceding twice inside the opening seven minutes (0:14, 6:50) to fall 2–0 behind.
However, the response was immediate and impressive.
At 7:15, Rhys Shears got the Warriors on the board, assisted by Howard Barwick, before the pair combined again just 24 seconds later - this time with Barwick finishing from Shears - to level the game at 2–2.
The Knights briefly regained the lead at 8:27, but the Warriors continued to push. A Knights checking penalty at 10:23 gave the Warriors momentum, and at 12:03, Chris Hamilton tied the game once more, assisted by Stu Nelson. It was now 3-3.
Despite a tripping penalty against Arek Koziel at 14:10, the Warriors finished the period strongly. At 19:17, Howard Barwick struck again, assisted by Chris Hamilton, giving the Warriors a 4–3 lead heading into the break.
Warriors 4-3 Knights
2nd period
The Knights equalised early in the second at 22:26, making it 4–4, but from that point on, the period belonged entirely to the Warriors.
A Knights high-sticking penalty at 23:33 opened the door, and at 27:33, Rhys Shears restored the lead, again assisted by Howard Barwick. 5-4 Warriors.
What followed was a devastating spell of scoring for the Warriors:
30:09 – Netminder Lewis Pickering was credited as the scorer after a Knights own-goal.
30:41 – Ivans Lebedjoks scores from a Tim Lyndon-Belt assist
31:52 – Mo Lin (unassisted)
In the space of under two minutes, the Warriors blew the game wide open, turning a tight contest into an 8–4 lead.
They weren’t done there. At 38:50, Ivans Lebedjoks added his second of the night, assisted by Chris Hamilton, sending the Warriors into the third period firmly in control at 9–4.
Warriors 9-4 Knights
3rd period
The Knights attempted to claw their way back, scoring at 41:37 and again at 52:01 to reduce the deficit to 9–6.
The period also saw rising physicality and discipline issues. A high-sticking penalty on Dexter Duffy-Howard at 46:03 gave the Knights an opportunity, while a flashpoint at 47:48 led to Petr Dostal being ejected for unsportsmanlike behaviour following an off-the-puck incident.
The Knights were also penalised for too many men on the ice at the same stoppage, highlighting the increasingly chaotic nature of the game.
Late penalties for roughing (Knights) and unsportsmanlike conduct (Ivans Lebedjoks) at 57:20 added to a scrappy finish, but the Warriors managed the game well and saw out the victory..
Final score:
Warriors 9-6 Knights
Points scorers :
Howard Barwick 2+2
Rhys Shears 2+1
Chris Hamilton 1+2
Ivans Lebedjoks 2+0
Mo Lin 1+0
Lewis Pickering 1+0
Stu Nelson 0+1
Tim Lyndon-Belt 0+1
Lewis Pickering
Player Of The Game
Ivans Lebedjoks
Captain’s Helmet
The Player Of The Game for the Warriors (as selected by the Knights) went to netminder Lewis Pickering and the Captain’s Helmet went to Ivans Lebedjoks. Well played lads.
After a difficult start, the Warriors showed resilience and attacking quality - lead by standout performances from Howard Barwick, Rhys Shears, and Ivans Lebedjoks - to take control of the game.
A relentless second period proved decisive, with the Warriors scoring five unanswered goals to put the result beyond doubt.
The teams next game in the IHSC Cup is at home to Telford Spartans. See details below:
IHSC Cup
Saturday 11th April 2026
Warriors² v Telford Spartans
@ Planet Ice, Leeds
Face-off : 9:45pm
For all upcoming Warriors² fixtures, please check this page : fixtures and results.
