Everyone Active Raiders captain relishing Sheffield tests

Raiders travel to Yorkshire for the first meeting between the clubs this season on Saturday (4.30pm), before hosting a return at Romford’s Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre on Sunday (5.15pm).

And Connolly has fond memories of their last encounter – with his side claiming a late win in the play-off semi-final at Coventry.

“This weekend we face the Steeldogs both nights,” he said.

“It’s a team we are yet to face this season, but if last year’s play-off semi-final is anything to go by I’m sure it’ll be a cracking set of games.”

Raiders claimed a 5-4 victory on that occasion, thanks to a last-minute goal from import forward Alex Roberts.

And they earned a dramatic and much-needed overtime win in Bristol last weekend to snap a losing run.

Tjay Anderson put Raiders ahead early on, with Adam Laishram restoring their lead in the last minute of the opening period after the hosts had levelled.

Connolly and Jake Sylvester netted in quick succession in the middle session, before Bristol bagged their second.

And Connolly struck again to make it 5-2, only for the home side to score on a powerplay just before the break and cut the gap to one early in the final stanza.

Laishram quickly restored the two-goal cushion, but Bristol kept their hopes alive with a fifth in the 55th minute.

And they squared matters with only 29 seconds left on the clock after pulling their goalie for an extra skater.

But Sylvester netted an overtime winner for Raiders to ensure they brought both points back to Romford, before news broke of a tragic incident involving Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson, who suffered a cut to his neck during an Elite League game in Sheffield.

Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Johnson, 29, sadly passed away as a result of his injuries and fixtures on Sunday were postponed, with Connolly adding: “It was great to get back to winning ways on Saturday in Bristol and I felt like we really deserved the points. 

“However, it wasn’t long until we started hearing about the tragic events in the Nottingham game.

“It was then confirmed the following morning that Adam Johnson had sadly passed away. Out of respect there were no games in either the Elite League or NIHL on Sunday.  

“On behalf of the Raiders players I’d like to take this opportunity to send our condolences to Adam’s family, friends and teammates. 

“It’s been a tough week for all those involved in ice hockey with lots of emotion and it brings it home just how dangerous the sport we all love really is. 

“I’m sure the teams will pay their respects to Adam in their own way [this coming weekend].”