Bulldogs looking to cause upset in NIHL North Two play-offs against Sutton Sting
THE LAST DANCE: Connor Medley (left), Dean Boothroyd and Josh Stockton (right) will all step away from playing after the conclusion of the NIHL North Two play-offs. Pictures: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
ANDY BROWN is hopeful his Bradford Bulldogs team can give favourites Sutton Sting a run for their money again when the two meet this weekend in the NIHL North Two play-off quarter-finals.
The Bulldogs should not be short of motivation on what will prove to be an emotional weekend as the club prepares to say goodbye on home ice to three of its most experienced players, with Dean Boothroyd, Josh Stockton and Connor Medley all set to play their last-ever games at ‘The Pound’ for the team, with the trio all retiring from playing at the end of the season.
Brown’s team get to play host first in the two-legged tie when regular season runners-up Sutton visit Bradford Ice Arena on Saturday (4.30pm face-off).
The tie will then be decided the following day at Ice Sheffield (1pm).
The two teams met only a week ago when the Bulldogs travelled to South Yorkshire for their last game of the regular season.
They had failed to score in three previous meetings against the Sting this season but - much like the previous week’s performance at home to 2023-24 league champions Telford Tigers 2 - the Bulldogs proved a good match for their more illustrious opponents.
HOPEFUL: Bradford Bulldogs’ head coach, Andy Brown Picture: Alien Aerial Photography
It wasn’t enough to yield a win for the Bulldogs, but the 6-3 scoreline was impressive enough to restore some pride for Brown’s team against one of their bogey teams and instill some confidence of possibly causing an upset when the two meet again this weekend.
Declan Kime led the way in Sheffield last Saturday, scoring two cracking goals, while Ollie Massey got on the scoresheet when he jammed the puck home from close range in the third period.
The result ensured the Bulldogs finished seventh in the regular season standings, with 11 wins from their 32 games.
Brown is hoping home support can drive his players on in the home leg on Saturday to leave them in a good position for the trip to Sheffield 24 hours later.
“It’s a big weekend coming up for us,” said head coach Brown. “We know it is going to be hard against a team like Sutton who have shown quality and consistency throughout the season and have only been second to Telford.
“But I’d like to think we will turn up and that we can give them a good game over two legs.
“If we can get a good crowd in at The Pound for the first leg on Saturday you never know what can happen if we can get off to a good start.
“We have struggled against them all season, I know, but I saw elements of how good we can be last week at Ice Sheffield and it would be nice to think we can replicate that again this weekend.
“Getting the monkey off our backs - in terms of getting some goals against the Sting - will do our confidence the world of good going into this weekend.”
The four winners of the quarter-final ties go through to a NIHL North Play-off Finals Weekend at Ice Sheffield on April 6-7.
It will be tough for the Bulldogs to reach the last four, but it would be the perfect way to send off Stockton, Boothroyd and Medley as they prepare to close out their time with the club.
Stockton, of course, has had a memorable last season with the team, creating new scoring records for points, goals and assists in recent weeks. In all he has played 233 games, scoring 231 goals and 187 assists.
Captain and defenceman Boothroyd, who like Josh came through the club’s junior system, steps down holding the record for the number of appearances made by a player for the club.
Since making his senior debut in 2004, the 38-year-old has played 363 games for the Bulldogs, posting 50 goals and 156 assists.
Centreman Medley departs sitting sixth in the all-time appearance list, making his senior debut in 2017 and playing 147 games, while contributing an impressive 72 goals and 89 assists.
Regardless of the result this weekend, the club would like to place on record their sincere thanks and appreciation for everything all three players have done for the club during their time here.
They will be missed greatly and are obviously welcome back at ‘The Pound’ any time they choose - as long as they bring their skates!
Bradford Bulldogs v Sutton Sting, NIHL North Two Play-Off Quarter-Final first leg - Doors: 3.45pm, Face-off: 4.30pm
Ticket prices - Adults: £5, U-16s/concessions: £2.50, Kids (U-12s) FOR A QUID!, Family of four: £12.
Special offer to all Leeds Knights fans - with no Knights game this Saturday, you can get in to watch the Dogs for half-price (£2.50) if you turn up in a Knights jersey or some other Knights merchandise.