Walker stands tall and delivers to fuel his self-belief

AS weekends go, it couldn’t really have gone any better for young netminder Harrison Walker.

Thrust on to centre stage after Leeds Knights’ No 1 goalie Sam Gospel was called away to attend the birth of his son, the 21-year-old back-up was able to stand tall and guide his team to a pivotal six-point weekend.

Wins over Swindon Wildcats and Hull Seahawks – twice – leave the Knights needing just one more win from their remaining six games to guarantee them retaining their

NIHL National league title. Even a single point at second-placed Milton Keynes Lightning will be enough to secure a second successive regular season crown.

Walker only found out a few hours before face-off at the Link Centre on Friday that he would be making only his second start of the season.

An understandable mix of nerves and excitement followed on the coach trip down to Wiltshire on what looked on paper like a tough weekend for the Knight.

But once the puck dropped, Walker stepped up and delivered when needed, turning away 36 of 37 shots on his goal.

Given he is back-up to a goalie in Gospel who many people consider to be the best in the league, ice time – in particular starts – have been hard to come by for Walker this season. That may change going forward. “I’d just got out the shower on the day we were travelling down to Swindon when I found out,” recalled the former Bradfod Bulldogs’ junior. “I was very excited, a little bit nervous because we all knew what it was going to be like down there in Swindon – it was a massive weekend in terms of the league title.

“And so there were a few nerves, but mainly I was just excited to get out there and have fun.”

Gospel could return for Saturday’s trip to Milton Keynes but Walker laid down a marker at the weekend, in what could prove a pivotal moment in his career.

It has certainly given him the belief that he belongs at this level, particularly after overcoming a Swindon team who were also the opponents in the 9-7 home win for Leeds just five days earlier.

“I didn’t want it to be a run and gun kind of game like the Sunday before,” added Walker. “I wanted it to be close and I knew they’d keep it close in their rink, like it was the previous time when they won 1-0.

“But the whole team played so well in front of me, too. That was probably the best game we’ve played defensively all year, everyone did their job – it was such a big win for the team.

“It has showed me that I can play in this league and that I can play against the top teams and do it. It was nice to have that reassurance that I am actually here to play.”

Walker believes his game has continued to progress at the Knights, thanks in part to the coaching setup in place.

“I feel like I’m a lot more confident, a lot more professional in my approach,” he added. “And that is partly down to this place and the coaching team - Ryan, Davey Lawrence and Colin Booth. They keep your head on your shoulders and this weekend showed that as it all came together.”