WHAT a run of form Deeside Dragons are on to conclude the regular season.

Coming off the back of their stunning 7-4 success at NIHL Division One North leaders Billingham Stars, Dragons have maintained their momentum with two further triumphs.

The first of these was an M56 Cup clash with Blackburn Hawks and Deeside were able to ease to a comfortable 6-1 success.

It was tight at the end of the first period with Matt Wainwright’s goal separating the sides.

Dragons were able to pull clear in the second period and further strikes from Cade King, Brodie Jesson and Jakub Hajek had them well in control.

Hawks flew in with a consolation, but Deeside ended the evening on a high with goals from Jesson and Wainwright, while Jace Gledhill was named as the game’s MVP.

Assistant head coach Matt Compton said: “Saturday was one we could have just turned up and gone through the motions.

“We really put in a professional performance and a good team performance.

“We scored some really good goals and Jace (Gledhill) in goal played well.”

There was a quick turnaround as Dragons returned to league action with a home meeting versus Whitley Warriors just 24 hours later.

Once again, there was a good start from Deeside and they were 4-0 ahead at the end of a dominant first period.

James Shaw, Petr Valusiak, Wainwright and skipper James Parsons shared these efforts, while Warriors pulled one back to see the scoreline at 4-1 heading into the final period.

And what a closing period it was, as Whitley demonstrated their Warrior spirit by grabbing four goals.

However, Dragons continued to pose an attacking threat and goals from Jared Dickinson, Parsons and MVP Ross Kennedy confirmed a 7-5 triumph.

“Against Whitley, we started really, really well,” added Compton.

“Everybody was really solid. We dropped off a little bit, but we ground out the win, which is really important.

“We have got a couple of games left and then it’s into the play-offs. And we’ve got a full side to choose from now. We have got some decisions to make.”

It’s rapidly nearing the business end of the season from the perspective of the Dragons and head coach Mike Clancy told Billingham Stars TV: “We haven’t got an easy run-in. We’ve got two really local games against Widnes home and away. So, anything can go from here.

“But really concentrating on getting a good run now up into the play-offs in particular.”

One positive for Clancy has been the displays of goaltender Matt Croyle.

“January, for me, was a great opportunity to blood two 16-year-old goalies, which typifies the club and where we’re trying to go,” he added.

“But having him (Croyle) back now on the play-off run-in really, really shows that we’re going to be a strong outfit coming into the last few weeks of the season.”

Ice Sheffield will be the venue for the play-offs, which will be held on the weekend of April 6 and 7.

Other results: Hull Jets 6 Nottingham Lions 5; Sheffield Scimitars 6️ Billingham Stars 9; Billingham Stars 1️ Hull Jets 2; Blackburn Hawks 8 Sheffield Scimitars 1; Solihull Barons 9 Nottingham Lions 1.