Romford is buzzing with anticipation as the Raiders prepare to take on the mighty Leeds Knights in the Cup Final—a clash that promises to be the most electrifying ice hockey event the town has seen in over two decades.
The first leg of the cup final will be contested on home ice at the Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre in Romford, with the second leg just 24 hours later in Leeds.

Cup Final First Leg
ROMFORD vs LEEDS Saturday 15.02.2025, face off 5.15pm
HOME Tickets available NOW
https://tinyurl.com/RaidersCupFinal

Note Season Ticket holders – season tickets are not valid for the cup final but your seats are safe. All season ticket holders have their seats guaranteed.

Cup Final Second Leg
LEEDS vs ROMFORD Sunday 16.02.2025, face off 5.15pm

AWAY Tickets available NOW
https://iceaccount.co.uk/leeds-knights/event/?event_id=7289

AWAY COACH £15: https://romfordraiders.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/away_coach_ticket_romford_raiders_ice_hockey_vs_leeds_knights_sunday_16022024_1045am_departure

We will run extra coaches to this event if there is demand but book early to avoid disappointment.

After a season packed with thrills, spills, and standout performances, both teams are primed for an unforgettable showdown that will see the aggregate winners crowned the Planet Ice National League Cup champions.
Despite being 3 goals down in their recent semi final, Raiders pulled off the shock of the season to come back and win against Milton Keynes Lightning over 2 legs to become the first team to qualify.
The Leeds Knights then booked their place in the final with an exhilarating victory against Sheffield on New Year’s Eve. Starting the tie level on aggregate, the Knights, who initially found themselves trailing 2-0 in the first period, roared back to secure a commanding 5-2 win. Leading the charge was Kieran Brown, whose sensational goal not only turned the tide but underscored his reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic forwards. Brown’s performance was complemented by goals from Finley Bradon, Oli Endicott, Dylan Hehir and a cool-as-ice empty-net finish from Matt Haywood, sealing the deal in style.
For Leeds fans, Brown’s heroics are nothing new. The 23-year-old, who has been a linchpin for the Knights this season, boasts an impressive 45 points in the league so far, making him one of the top scorers. Joining him in the spotlight is Matthew Bisonette, whose silky skills and pinpoint assists have been instrumental in Leeds’ success. On the back end, the Knights’ defensive core, anchored by Finley Bradon and bolstered by the ever-reliable Sam Gospel in net, has been rock solid. Gospel’s ability to shut the door on opponents has earned him a stellar save percentage, while young talents like Mac Howlett and Dylan Hehir have added depth and flair to an already potent roster.

The Raiders, meanwhile, are ready to write their own chapter of history. With a passionate home crowd behind them, Romford’s squad will be looking to capitalise on their underdog status. The Raiders’ journey to the final has been a testament to grit and determination, and their fans have every reason to believe 2025 could be their year.
“This is the biggest match Romford has hosted in 20 years,” said Adam Laishram, Raiders Player Coach. “The team has worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and we’re calling on every fan to pack the arena and make it a night to remember.”
The Cup Final promises a clash of styles: Leeds’ high-octane, offensive firepower versus Romford’s relentless, never-say-die attitude. While the Knights may enter as favourites, the unpredictability of a two legged final leaves the door wide open for the Raiders to spring another surprise.
Fans will remember a nail-biting 2023 Coventry Play Off final which went right down to the wire with Knights coming out on top after Raiders lost by a single goal in an action packed game. Raiders will want to settle that score.
Ticket for the cup finals are on sale NOW at https://tinyurl.com/RaidersCupFinal so fans are encouraged to buy immediately as a complete sell out is expected. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the sport, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Away coach tickets to the Leeds 2nd leg can also be purchased now too.
As the countdown to the final begins, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Romford, it’s a chance to claim glory and cement their place in local sporting folklore. For Leeds, it’s an opportunity to cap off another remarkable season with some silverware. One thing’s for sure: when these two teams hit the ice, sparks will fly, and history will be made.
Romford and Leeds will postpone their league fixtures accordingly which will now move to Friday 28th Feb 2025.

The Knights now visit Romford on March 14th to replay the league fixture.

COYR!

Raiders will look to get their National League campaign back on track after a frustrating three-game weekend yielded just a single point.

They head to lowly Telford tomorrow (Saturday), before hosting mid-table rivals Sheffield at the Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre on Sunday (5.15pm).

And they will be hoping for a better return than last weekend, when they snatched overtime defeat from the jaws of victory against leaders MK Lightning, then lost a double-header against Swindon, who climbed up to second after Leeds lost at bottom club Berkshire Bees.

Zach Yokoyama, who scored 26 points in 19 games as injury cover for Adam Laishram, said before his departure from the club this week: “It’s a tough one, MK on Friday and then Swindon yesterday and today.

“It’s hard on the legs, but we definitely pushed it.

“Today [Sunday] was a bit harder, but very good to play the last few games.

“It’s challenging, but it’s good. Makes me better every game, makes you think, but it’s good.”

Shaun Miller cancelled out a first-minute opener by Lightning on Friday, before helping set up Andrew Shewfelt to put Raiders 2-1 up.

And Tjay Anderson netted inbetween a pair of Lightning goals, before Shewfelt made it 4-3 at the start of the final period.

Only 15 seconds were left on the clock when the visitors tied it up again, having withdrawn their goalie for an extra skater.

And they sealed a 5-4 win with just over a minute of the sudden-death period played.

Raiders took a point from the overtime loss and saw Jake Sylvester open the scoring in Swindon, but former Romford junior Glenn Billing replied in each period for a hat-trick to put the hosts 3-1 up.

And after Sylvester converted on a 5-on-3 advantage, Raiders withdrew goalie Ethan James on another powerplay but saw Wildcats net a shorthanded empty-net goal with 32 seconds left to secure a 4-2 victory.

Raiders bench coach Lewis Jones said: “It’s a tough one to take but we know we can beat these.

“Ethan stood tall, fantastic as ever. He was dialled in tonight, dialled in last night, he brings it every night and does a fantastic job for us.

“He gives us a chance to win and that’s all we can ask for from Ethan.

“We just need to make sure we’re a little bit tighter on our [penalty] kill.

“All of their goals came on special teams, and the shorthander for the empty net when we’ve thrown the dice.”

After a scoreless opening period in Romford on Sunday, Swindon struck twice in the middle session and either side of another Shewfelt effort early in the final period to lead 4-1.

Miller hit back, but another late effort saw Swindon skate off with a 5-2 triumph.

“I think we started slow. Probably the three games in consecutive days,” said Raiders captain Jack Cooper, whose side now sit in sixth place.

“Powerplay looked decent over the weekend, we just need to capitalise when we’re going 5-on-3.

“Other teams do it to us, we need to work on that. That will help us win those sort of games.

“It’s tough sometimes. Ethan stood on his head this weekend, so without him it’s a completely different game.”

After discussions with Zach Yokoyama , the club have granted him permission for his release.

Since joining us as injury cover earlier this season, Zach has been an important part of our team, contributing greatly to our success, averaging over a point per game, and helping us reach the NIHL National Cup Final. 

The club thank Zach for his time in Romford, and while we are sad to see him go, we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Raiders bench coach Lewis Jones admitted it felt good to end 2024 with back-to-back wins over Berkshire Bees in the National League.

Having snapped a five-game losing run in the league with a 4-0 victory over Bristol Pitbulls before Christmas, Raiders skated to a 6-3 success in Slough on Saturday.

And they followed that up with a 5-3 triumph on home ice at Romford’s Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre the following night to move back up to fifth in the table.

Jones said: “It’s good to get a four-point weekend, that’s the most important thing.

“Going into the new year on a three-game winning streak is really important.”

Tommy Huggett gave Raiders the lead in Slough, but the hosts hit back to level just before the break.

And powerplay goals either side of Andrew Shewfelt’s effort, as Raiders enjoyed a man advantage, put Bees 3-2 up, before Jake Sylvester levelled.

Tyler Nixon, Tjay Anderson (powerplay) and Shewfelt (empty net) struck in the final period to seal the points for the visitors, with Jones adding: “I felt we started quite well – first period was good, second period we didn’t really play great.

“I was happy to come out of that 3-3 at the end of the second, too many penalties, some odd calls here and there but we ground out a win, it was good to get the two points.”

Bees led 3-1 at the halfway stage of Sunday’s return meeting, with Shewfelt netting again for Raiders in front of a sold-out 1,200-strong crowd.

Sylvester struck either side of the second break to square matters up once again – and now sits sixth in the club’s all-time scoring charts on 375 points (204 goals, 171 assists) – but play was then held up after Raiders player-coach Adam Laishram suffered a nasty cut to the wrist and went off to hospital.

Shaun Miller put Raiders in front with less than 10 minutes left, then added an empty-net goal with 34 seconds remaining.

“Not a great start from us, a little bit sluggish in the middle period again, but character to come back,” said Jones, who saw Owen Rider backstop the side to both wins with Ethan James unavailable.

“Once Laish goes down hurt, which was obviously pretty horrible for both teams to see that, it took the sting out of the building a little bit.

“We just had to get the job done in the end and we made sure we got the job done for him.”

Raiders start 2025 with a three-game weekend as they play host to leaders MK Lightning on Friday (7.15pm), then visit Swindon on Saturday and welcome the Wildcats in a quick return on Sunday (5.15pm).

Having upset Lightning in the cup semi-finals, Jones is hoping Raiders can enjoy more success.

“We know they don’t always like coming here,” he added.

“We’ve got a pretty good record against them so far this season so we’ll have some confidence with that and the cup stuff.

“But it’s a new game and we’ll just go and prepare the same way we do, watch some video, look at what we’ve not done great and work on that in the week and hopefully be ready for what is going to be a long and taxing weekend for us.”

By Lee Power

@Recorder_Power

Sports editor

Raiders play a double header against Bristol Pitbulls, with the Sunday Home Game being kids fro £2.

Followed Sunday evening from 8pm, with the Teams Meet the Players Christmas party at the Ivy Tree Restaurant, 113-117 South Street (5 minute walk from the Sapphire).

Lee Power from the Romford Recorder writes; 

Raiders will look to bring some Christmas cheer as they face Bristol Pitbulls in a National League double-header this weekend.

They travel to North Somerset on Saturday, before hosting a return meeting at Romford’s Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre on Sunday (5.15pm).

And they do so having lost both matches in their double-header with high-flying Leeds Knights last weekend.

Bench coach Lewis Jones said: “Frustrating a little bit.

“I thought we played really well first two periods [on Saturday]. A good effort.

“Here [in Romford] we never got going in the first, fall behind.

“We’re going to go to work this week and hopefully bring it next week.”

Saturday’s match at Elland Road remained scoreless until just past the midway point when Shaun Miller put Raiders ahead.

But the hosts levelled just before the end of the middle session, then edged ahead with 11 minutes remaining before netting again to seal a 3-1 win.

“Tough to go to them and obviously to get on the board first is great,” added Jones.

“Tough to go to them and obviously to get on the board first is great,” added Jones.

“Going in 1-1 it could’ve gone either way and then we just kind of went a little bit flat final 10 and just struggled.

“I think we were short which didn’t help. Not going to use it as an excuse but it’s a tough night in the end.”

Miller picked up an injury which ruled him out of Sunday’s meeting, with Leeds moving two goals up inside 10 minutes.

Raiders player-coach Adam Laishram, deputising for Miller, was then handed a 5+game penalty for a check to the head and Leeds added a third soon after.

The visitors went 4-0 up at the midway mark, before losing Bailey Perre to a 5+game penalty for cross-checking.

And Andrew Shewfelt opened the Raiders account on another powerplay in the final period, after Leeds replaced starting goalie Sam Gospel with Harrison Walker, before Tjay Anderson added a second for the hosts.

Any hopes of a comeback were dashed, though, when Zach Yokoyama was binned for hooking and Leeds completed a 5-2 win while enjoying the man advantage.

Jones said: “The hit [by Laishram which led to a game misconduct], I’m not going to comment too much.

“That changes the game, 3-0 down, not happy with the first and we don’t play until the third period, which isn’t good enough from us.”

By Lee Power

@Recorder_Power

Sports editor