League 2 has been a fantastic addition to our line-up this season, being a highly competitive from start to finish. Clare Badgers came out as League Champions in the end on the final day of the season and thus earned automatic promotion to League 1. The remaining 4 teams will battle it out this Sunday in Portadown for the chance to also gain promotion.

Semi Final 1 – Dun Dealgan Warriors vs Armagh Stars

A mixed season for the Warriors which saw them start well but then go through a difficult spell of getting a settled line-up. However, they battled through, picked up a few new bodies and ended the season well. If the Warriors have a full compliment of players this weekend they will fancy their chances to skate away as winners.

The Stars have used their League 2 side as a way of giving their Learn-to-Play graduates game experience. This has seen their players develop greatly over the last 8 months and they will be raring to go this weekend on their home rink.

Players to Watch

Dun Dealgan Warriors - Romualdas Adomaitis

Having scored 6 goals on the final day of the season, the Warriors will be looking to Romualdas once again to provide the offence.

Armagh Stars – Chris Barr

Chris has been on form all year and is always a danger when he’s on the rink. His play throughout the season earned him a call-up to the Elite side where he’s also put up some points.

What they say

Sonya McEneaney, Dun Dealgan Warriors Team Manager

“Competing in the playoffs is a very important event for our club. During the middle of the season we struggled and almost folded. To bounce back and compete in the playoffs together with old and new players makes it an especially memorable event for us. It will be even more memorable if we win!”

Lloyd Wright, Armagh Stars League 2 Coach

“The Stars are really looking forward to the new league 2 playoffs. League 2 has been extremely competitive this year and anyone could win it, there will be no easy games come sunday!. Our League 2 team has alot of players that have graduated up from our Adult Learn to Play sessions this season and this experience will be invaluable for them and our club too!."

Previous Meetings

3rd September 2017 – Warriors 8 - 2 Stars

25th March 2018 – Stars 3 - 6 Warriors

Semi Final 2 – Longford Blackhawks vs Bangor Chiefs

The youth in the Blackhawks team has carried them all season and mixed with some experience they have been a tough opponent to come up against. Finishing 2nd in the league standings they enter the weekend as favourites to come out victorious.

The Chiefs started the season very well but haven’t picked up a win since October, although there have been some very tight encounters. As the lowest seed the Chiefs are the underdogs but that does not mean they are an easy game by any means. If they play at the top of their game they too have a shot at the championship.

Players to Watch

Longford Blackhawks - Melvin Voronkovas

Mel has been the main scoring threat for the Blackhawks this season and gets better and better every time we see him play. If he’s on his game on Sunday the Blackhawks will be difficult to stop.  

Bangor Chiefs – Neil Flannigan

Neil brings plenty of experience to the young skaters of the Chiefs and has been a game changer at times this season for them. He will have to lead by example this Sunday if the Chiefs stand a chance at success.

What they say

Janis Kipars, Longford Blackhawks Coach

“In the very competitive League 2 we found ourselves to be competitive till the very end of regular season. Congratulations to Clare Badgers and all the best in League 1, where we aim to join them come September. We lost our goalie early on in the season and looked like we will fold a couple of times, but we never gave up. All the hard work is rewarded with a playoff spot. Roll on Sunday.”

Michael Creane,  Bangor Chiefs Coach

“We’re looking forward to ending a highly competitive inaugural League 2 season and hope Sunday is just as competitive. We enter the weekend with optimism and belief in our players that anything can happen in the playoffs.”

Previous Meetings

3rd September 2017 – Blackhawks 4 - 5 Chiefs

26th November 2017 – Chiefs 3 - 4 Blackhawks

The League 2 playoffs certainly look tough to call and we’re looking forward to a good competitive day of hockey.