After a brilliant start to their Division One North season, Dragons have hit a bump in the road with defeats in their last four encounters.

The latest of these came in last week’s double-header with Telford Tigers, but James, who was MVP in the Sunday defeat, says the mood amongst players is remaining positive.

He told the Puck ‘n’ Dragons podcast: “The boys are buzzing. You know, everyone’s got that good mindset about them.

“I think there’s just a lot of work we need to do when it comes to training and working as a team, and stuff like it. So, yeah, definitely room for improvement.”

Tigers triumphed 6-3 at home and then they won 3-2 at Deeside, in front of a crowd of over 600.

In the opening match-up, Telford opened the scoring on four minutes, but Dragons levelled via Kane Morin five minutes later.

Telford edged back into the lead 70 seconds into the second period and after Deeside got into penalty trouble, Telford scored again. Ross Kennedy pulled one back, but Telford scored another powerplay goal to lead 4-2 at the second interval.

Colin Cromie cut the gap on 48 minutes but Telford hit right back with two more.

The following night, Tigers broke the deadlock with an effort from former Deeside player Brodie Jesson, on a powerplay punishing a Dragons interference call.

Deeside equalised with a powerplay goal of their own from Kennedy on 39 minutes.

Telford edged back in front on 43 minutes but the Dragons drew level again just 84 seconds later as Jake Witkowski fired in another powerplay strike.

Telford scored what turned out to be the winning goal on 49 minutes.

James added: “I thought both teams worked hard throughout the full game.

“It was a battle on both sides. Yeah, just thought I’d give props to Telford.

“They came out strong. Looked like they wanted it.”

Dragons will be looking for better fortune when they head to Sheffield Scimitars tomorrow.

The Scimitars currently sit rock bottom of the Moralee Division table without a win so far this season – their only point to date coming from an overtime loss at the hands of Leeds Knights.

The Dragons won their first game against Sheffield 12-2 when the two teams met in Deeside back in September, with Witkowski scoring an impressive double hat-trick.

Tomorrow’s other fixtures: Billingham v Telford; Blackburn v Nottingham; Hull v Widnes. Sunday: Billingham v Nottingham; Solihull v Blackburn; Widnes v Leeds.

There is still plenty of competitive ice hockey to be seen at Deeside Leisure Centre this weekend.

The Dragons women’s team are at home to Whitley Bay Beacons tomorrow (6pm face-off).

Then, on Sunday, Deeside Dragons men’s second team will be looking to break their recent losing streak when they take on Nottingham Lions at the Queensferry rink (6.30pm face-off).

Sunday’s other Division Two North fixtures: Altrincham v Bradford; Kingston v Sheffield. Tomorrow: Altrincham v Kingston; Coventry v Sutton.