SILVERWARE is on the line for the Deeside Dragons this weekend.
Tomorrow, the Dragons head south to tackle Cardiff Fire in the second leg of their Welsh Cup showdown.
It’s finely balanced following a thrilling 5-5 draw between the sides in the first leg at Deeside Leisure Centre earlier this month.
Ross Kennedy and Jared Dickinson had the Dragons 2-0 up at the end of the first period.
Another from Kennedy extended the advantage in the second period, but Cardiff had the Fire to respond in fantastic fashion.
While another Dragons’ goal came from Jakub Hajek, it was tied at 4-4 going into the closing period.
Kennedy’s hat-trick strike handed Deeside the advantage once more, but Cardiff levelled with just 22 seconds remaining.
Looking ahead to the second leg, Dragons’ assistant head coach Matt Compton said: “It’s a big one. It’s 5-5 but we can class it as 0-0. It is all to play for.
“Cardiff missed a few players when we played them up here. It’s the first chance of silverware and it’s a good habit of getting into silverware.”
Dragons will be hoping for another stand-out display from Jake Witkowski, who marked his debut with a hat-trick and three assists in last week’s 7-2 NIHL Division One North win at Widnes.
“I’m sure the lads will be chatting to him in the week and the importance of it will be made,” added Compton.
Cade King remains a doubt with a back injury.
It’s a busy weekend for Deeside Ducks, with two matches lined-up in Division Two North.
The newly-formed Ducks will head to Kingston Sharks tomorrow, prior to Sunday’s home clash with Sheffield Titans.
Tomorrow’s Division One fixture: Sheffield Scimitars v Nottingham Lions. Sunday: Billingham Stars v Sheffield; Blackburn Hawks v Solihull Barons; Whitley Warriors v Hull Jets; Widnes Wild v Leeds Knights.
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