Warriors¹ devoured by Ice Tigers
On Saturday 14th March 2026 our Warriors 1 team travelled to Ice Sheffield to take on the Ice Tigers A in this IHSC Cup fixture.
This was the return fixture in the IHSC Cup, with the Warriors having beaten the Ice Tigers 5-2 back in Leeds on 31st January 2026.
That was an extremely close game and the Warriors were aware of how tough this game was likely to be, especially as it’s on away ice.
If you would like to read the previous game report, click here.
The Warriors were without some key players for this one. Talisman Mitch White missed his 3rd consecutive game for the team which was a huge blow.
Also missing were : Joe Quinn, Callum Greenhalgh, Jordan Batty, Adam Gibbons, Dzintars Jonuss, Adam Tomlinson, Matthew Gatenby, Chris Norman, Adam Tomlinson and Corbyn Grace.
Lewis Pickering was between the pipes and there wasn’t a back-up goalie available.
This was also the 21st and final Warriors game for our American defence man Chris Blaschko after a 2 year stint with the team. The team were hoping to give Chris a positive send off with a big win.
Dressed players
Lewis Pickering (NM), Chris Giles (C), Andy Giles (A), Sam Cromack (A), Ellen Gallimore, Tyler Heming, Dylan Noonan, Simon Morrow, Andrew Hughes, Niks Kamaldins, Tom Mallon, Chris Scampton, Will Gibbons, Harvey Galloway, Chris Blaschko and Jake Wagner.
1st period
The Warriors made an ideal start, capitalising early on the power play. At 1:14, Niks Kamaldins opened the scoring, assisted by Chris Scampton, after the Ice Tigers were penalised for too many men on the ice.
But the Ice Tigers responded quickly, equalising at 2:29.
At 4:15, Dylan Noonan restored the lead from Andy Giles, before the pair combined again at 8:18, this time with Andy Giles finishing to make it 3–1.
A great start for the Warriors. Things were looking promising and victory looked realistic. But, there had been warning signs during the opening exchanges. The Ice Tigers were playing well and creating lots of shooting opportunities. Warriors’ netminder Lewis Pickering was called upon many times to keep the hosts at bay.
The Warriors really needed to pick up their game. After a strong start they were now looking nervy in their own zone and struggling to clear the puck over the blue line, meaning they had to endure waves of attacks.
So it felt inevitable that the hosts would come back into the game - scoring at 13:55 and 16:46 to level the game. A huge blow to the Warriors but it was a fair reflection of the balance of play.
The period ended 3–3, but the momentum had shifted away from the Warriors and they needed to find their groove again.
Ice Tigers 3-3 Warriors
2nd period
The Warriors had an early opportunity to go ahead in the game when the Ice Tigers took a hooking penalty at 25:31 but they couldn’t capitalise - instead it was Sheffield who seized control of the game.
Two quick goals at 28:03 and 28:20 turned the game in the Ice Tigers’ favour, giving them a 5–3 lead.
A Warriors high-sticking penalty at 32:38 proved costly as the Ice Tigers extended their lead to 6–3 at 34:38, scoring on the power play - just as the penalty expired!
This had been a game defining 6 minutes. Given that the Warriors were struggling to dig out a decent performance, a 3 goal deficit now seemed huge. But, the hope was that if they could get the next goal, momentum could shift back in their favour.
Only 33 seconds after the restart the Warriors responded. At 35:11 they posted their 4th goal through an unassisted effort from Dylan Noonan.
At 6-4, the Warriors had some hope - but they continued to struggle defensively and looked vulnerable.
With the clock entering the final minute of the period, the Warriors hoped they could go into the interval just two goals down, so it felt cruel when the Ice Tigers struck again at 39:16 to make it 7–4 heading into the second intermission.
The period ended 3–1 to the Ice Tigers, who had managed to maintain that 3 goal lead to take firm control of the game.
Ice Tigers 7-4 Warriors
3rd period
With nothing to lose, the Warriors pushed early in the third - knowing that if they were to have any chance of coming back, they’d need the early goal. And at 40:53, Andy Giles scored, assisted by Dylan Noonan and Jake Wagner, making it 7–5.
Once again, this gave the Warriors hope. With most of the period to play, a 2 goal deficit didn’t seem so insurmountable.
But again, the Warriors struggled defensively as the Ice Tigers responded quickly with a goal of their own - restoring their three-goal cushion at 42:10. It was now 8-5 and the Warriors were frustrated that they couldn’t make much progress - constantly being pegged back.
A hooking penalty against the Ice Tigers at 46:44 gave the Warriors another power play opportunity but they couldn’t make it count.
Thankfully, just a matter of seconds after the hosts had killed the penalty (and we returned to 5v5) Niks Kamaldins scored unassisted to bring it back to 8–6. Timed at 49:00.
Yet again, the Warriors had closed the gap to 2 goals. But despite reducing the deficit, the Warriors couldn’t sustain the pressure. Chasing the game was taking its toll on the players as their legs (and determination) were starting to flag.
One more goal in favour of the Warriors could have set this up for an exciting final 10 minutes, but, unfortunately it was the Ice Tigers who would finish the game in style.
The hosts pulled away with two further goals at 52:05, 52:46 to make it 10-6. Effectively ending the game as a contest.
To make matters worse for the Warriors they notched up their 11th goal of the night at 57:54 when they were on a power play - following a Warriors body-checking penalty at 56:16.
With the score at 11-6 and with less than 4 minutes left to play, the Warriors were now only playing for pride only.
They also took a minor penalty at 59:15 meaning they would end the game short handed.
Final score:
Ice Tigers 11-6 Warriors
Points scorers :
Dylan Noonan 2+1
Andy Giles 2+1
Niks Kamaldins 2+0
Chris Scampton 0+1
Jake Wagner 0+1
Will Gibbons 0+1
Chris Blaschko
Player of the game
Chris Blaschko
Captain’s POTG
The player of the game for the Warriors went to… Chris Blaschko! And who could have guessed that Blaschko would also get the Captain’s helmet! A clean sweep for the popular yank who had just played his last game for the club. Chris will be greatly missed by everyone at Leeds Warriors and is always welcome back. But in the meantime, we wish him all the best in his next chapter in Brno, Czech Republic.
What a game. This felt like a big wake-up call for the team. The Warriors had won their first 3 games of the season and felt like they were on a roll. Maybe there was some complacency, we don’t know. That was certainly something the coaching team had warned against and the team seemed to take it onboard. Some might say that this humbling may actually be a blessing in disguise - and we all hope that’s the case. One thing’s for sure, this season’s IHSC Cup is a lot more open than last years. At this point, it feels like anyone can beat anyone which keeps the competition wide open. We’re very intrigued to see how other games pan out.
Congratulations to the Ice Tigers and especially their #50 who picked up 4 goals and #44 who registered a hat-trick.
Thanks to those who came down to support the team away from home - Joe Quinn, Alex Noonan, Stella Giwisser and Rich Guttridge - we appreciate the support!
(But also - as ever - Lisa Speed!)
Our biggest supporter and lucky charm, Paul Galloway (Dad of Harvey) wasn’t able to make this game so we tried to channel his support by bringing a framed picture of him with us. It didn’t work, obviously.
The next game for Warriors 1 is back in the IHSC Cup and it’s not getting easier - see the details below:
IHSC Cup
Sunday 26th April 2026
Grimsby Stormers v Warriors 1
@ Grimsby Ice Rink
Face-off : 9:30pm
All Warriors 1 fixtures can be found here : Fixtures and Results
