Warriors² get burnt by the Blazers
On Saturday 13th June 2026 our Warriors 2 team welcomed Sheffield Blazers B to Planet Ice for the return IHSC Cup fixture.
This was the seventh fixture in the IHSC Cup for Warriors² and the return fixture with Sheffield Blazers B team.
Having narrowly lost the reverse fixture 4-3 in Sheffield, the Warriors were hopeful that home ice advantage might help swing the result in their favour.
Those hopes were tempered somewhat during warm-up as several familiar faces appeared on the Blazers roster. A number of players were recognised from the side that had faced Leeds Warriors¹ just a few weeks earlier, giving the visitors a notably stronger look than in the previous meeting between the teams.
Therefore, the Warriors knew they would need to be at their very best if they were to come away with the win.
Dressed players
Andrew Hughes (NM), Howard Barwick (C), Cain Turner, Dexter Duffy-Howard, Gareth Lumley, Janis Gutmanis, Leo Wright, Luke Cadman, Matt Jubb, Mo Lin, Petr Dostal, Rhys Shears, Rich Guttridge, Simon Davis, Arek Koziel, Chris Hamilton, Corey Clough-Howard, Ivans Lebedjoks, Jamie Thurston, Stewart Nelson, Tim Lyndon-Belt.
1st period
The Warriors made a dream start to the game and took the lead after just 3:42. Debutant Janis Gutmanis wasted no time making his mark, providing the assist for Ivans Lebedjoks, who finished confidently to put the Warriors 1-0 ahead.
The advantage lasted less than a minute, however, as the Blazers responded at 4:21 to level the scores at 1-1.
Undeterred, the Warriors continued to press and regained the lead at 8:17. Stewart Nelson found Mo Lin, who finished confidently to restore the Warriors’ advantage at 2-1.
The remainder of the period saw both sides exchange chances, but solid defensive work and some important saves from Andrew Hughes ensured the Warriors carried a deserved 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Warriors 2-1 Blazers
2nd period
The Warriors extended their advantage early in the second period. At 22:16, Mo Lin turned provider, setting up Gareth Lumley who finished well to make it 3-1 and put Leeds firmly in control of the contest.
As the period progressed, the Blazers began to increase the pressure and eventually found a way back into the game at 34:32, reducing the deficit to a single goal.
Despite the visitors’ growing momentum, the Warriors dug deep and held on to take a 3-2 lead into the final period.
Warriors 3-2 Blazers
3rd period
Unfortunately for the Warriors, the third period belonged to the Blazers.
The visitors found an equaliser at 46:34, drawing level at 3-3 and setting up a tense final quarter of an hour.
The Warriors continued to battle hard, but the Blazers edged ahead for the first time in the game at 54:25.
With the Warriors pushing forward in search of a late equaliser, the Blazers struck again just over a minute later at 55:34, extending their lead to 5-3 and putting the game beyond reach.
Final score:
Warriors 3-5 Blazers
Points scorers :
Mo Lin 1+1
Ivans Lebedjoks 1+0
Gareth Lumley 1+0
Stu Nelson 0+1
Janis Gutmanis 0+1
Andrew Hughes
Player of the game
Arek Koziel
Captain’s POTG
The Player of the Game for the Warriors as selected by the Blazers, went to netminder Andrew Hughes - and the Captain’s helmet went to Arek Koziel. Well done both!
The result was a disappointing one for the Warriors, who had led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-1 during the contest and looked well placed after two periods.
However, the shot count underlined the amount of pressure they faced throughout the evening, with Blazers out-shooting the Warriors.
Andrew Hughes produced a number of excellent saves to keep the Warriors in the game and there were plenty of positives to take from the opening forty minutes, including a debut assist for Janis Gutmanis and strong offensive contributions from Mo Lin, Gareth Lumley and Ivans Lebedjoks.
Ultimately, though, Blazers sustained pressure and strong third-period performance proved decisive as the Warriors were forced to settle for a 5-3 defeat.
The next game for Warriors² is next weekend - on Saturday 20th June (also in the IHSC Cup) at home to Beighton Bombers. Details below:
IHSC Cup
Saturday 20th June 2026
Warriors 2 v Beighton Bombers
Face-off @ 8:45pm
@ Planet Ice, Leeds
For all upcoming Warriors² fixtures, please check this page : fixtures and results.
