Solway Sharks crowned National Ice Hockey League North 1 Division winners as rivals slip up

Solway Sharks were crowned League Champions at the weekend, despite not touching the ice.

The Dumfries side, sponsored by Building Craftsmen, moved into an unassailable position at the top of the National Ice Hockey League North 1 Division on Sunday when closest rivals Whitley Warriors suffered a defeat at the hands of the Nottingham Lions, meaning Warriors cannot accumulate enough points to catch the Sharks, who had a free weekend, in the remaining fixtures.

Sharks have been beaten in league competition only twice this season, once by Solihull Barons and one overtime loss to Nottingham Lions, who unwittingly handed Sharks the trophy on Sunday.

Sharks have four league games left but their position at the top of the table means they have already qualified for National Finals weekend in Coventry on May 1, where they will face Streatham who have secured the South 1 Championship, in a bid to be crowned National Champions.

Sharks will also face home and away games against whoever finishes eighth in their league in a bid to secure a place at the playoff weekend in Leeds on April 23, where they would compete for the Playoff Trophy.

First up is a game against Sheffield Scimitars at Dumfries Ice Bowl on Saturday, where the team will be presented with the league trophy at the end of the game.

Head Coach Martin Grubb said: “We are all obviously delighted to have won the league and it’s a testament to the players’ hard work throughout the season and the support from everyone at the club. While it was great to get the title over the line it, was a little bit of an anticlimax on Sunday, as we really wanted to win it on the ice in front of our supporters.

“As a coach you feel huge pride when seeing your players celebrate together at