I am sure in August we all thought the long hockey season was about to commence and just like that, here we are playing knockout hockey. The NIHL2 North Playoffs will start this weekend with now the quarter final matchups confirmed:

(1) Sutton Sting v (8) Nottingham Lions 2

(2) Sheffield Titans v (7) Kingston Sharks

(3) Coventry NIHL Blaze v (6) Deeside Dragons 2

(4) Billingham Buccaneers v (5) Altrincham Aces

This weekend will see all but two ties be played out across two legs with an aggregate score determining the winner over both games. This means if the score is tied at the end of sixty minutes in game one, that score will stand and the game will be over. However, should there be a tie after 120 minutes, the tie will go to overtime.

Due to ice time availability, the tie between the Sting and Lions 2 and the Buccaneers and Aces will be a one game, winner takes all, with Sutton and Billingham as the home sides.

The winners of the ties will advance to the North Semi-Finals which again will be a two leg aggregate scoring affair with the winners advancing to the Steel City Showdown in Sheffield for the Grand Final between the two North winners on the Saturday. Sunday will then play host to the winners of the North and the South finals in the National Final.

On Saturday, we will be once again offering a £5 admission for those wearing a Blaze jersey:

Details for this weekend's games are as follows:

NIHL Blaze vs Deeside Dragons 2

Playoff Quarter Final - Leg 1

Saturday 28th March 2026

18:30 Faceoff

Skydome Arena

Deeside Dragons 2 vs NIHL Blaze

Playoff Quarter Final - Leg 2

Sunday 29 March 2026

17:15 Faceoff

Deeside Leisure Centre

Come down, get behind the team and be the voices in the crowd as we look to advance to the semi-finals next week.