Everyone Active Raiders import Coy Prevost believes they can be contenders for National League honours this season.

Last season's beaten play-off finalists currently sit in seventh place, after claiming a crucial win over Solway Sharks in Scotland last weekend.

And although they lost at leaders Leeds the following night, the 26-year-old Prevost says there positive signs as they prepare to visit Hull on Saturday and host Solway at Romford's Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre on Sunday (5.15pm).

"The team is starting to gel nicely and our depth is coming to fruition," he said.

"Our play as a team lately has demonstrated we are contenders that have a shot at the [play-off] title.

"We just have to make sure each member of our group is invested every game and we don’t become complacent."

Having set off early from Romford last Saturday for the long drive to Dumfries, Raiders killed off an early penalty against Jack Cooper before Mikey Power scrapped with Ross Murray.

A hooking penalty against Prevost led to a Nolan Gardiner powerplay goal midway through the first period, but Prevost scrambled an equaliser less than a minute later.

And the Canadian whipped home a superb wristshot from Zack Milton's feed to put Raiders ahead at the first break.

George Norcliffe's shot got through Calum Hepburn to make it 3-1 early in the middle session, before Solway lost key man Kell Beattie to a 5+game penalty for boarding Joe Tomalin.

Raiders could not make their extra man count, but Jake Sylvester's wristshot flew inside the far post seconds after Sharks returned to full strength.

Norcliffe and Jacob Ranson were called for hooking and tripping penalties towards the end of the period, though, and Gardiner grabbed his second powerplay goal of the night.

A slashing call against Prevost then allowed Craig Peacock to cut the gap to one less than nine minutes to go, giving the home side fresh belief.

Prevost had the last laugh, though, when Raiders were awarded a penalty shot and he skated in to outfox Hepburn and complete his hat-trick, sealing two very important points in the race for a top-eight spot.

"Our line has done a very good job communicating and strategising, which has had an immediate impact on our production," added Prevost.

"Each of us can finish on our chances which has allowed us confidence to distribute the puck evenly.

"I was able to net a hat-trick in Scotland this Saturday, but Jake had one the weekend prior.

"Our line is dangerous because we can score from every area of the ice. Through the last stretch of games we've been able to help our team win and that will continue to be our goal.

"We know each of our lines are able to produce and as of late coach has put us in a position to provide the offensive threat against our competition."

Raiders produced arguably their best period of the season the next day to lead Leeds 2-1 at the first break.

Milton pounced on a rebound to open the scoring and, after Jake Witkowski's powerplay goal following a slashing call on Callum Wells, picked out Sylvester to restore the Raiders lead.

Norcliffe and Elliott Dewey were called for elbowing and hooking penalties to gift Leeds two full minutes with a 5-on-3 advantage, but Raiders defended doggedly.

And the visitors had a great chance to go 3-1 up while two men short when Prevost skated clear, only to be thwarted by Sam Gospel.

Raiders failed to make the most of a powerplay chance midway through the middle stanza and saw Matt Haywood convert Mac Howlett's pass out from behind the net to level.

Jordan Buesa's attack on Prevost handed Raiders another advantage, but they turned the puck over at the far blue line and Kieran Brown skated clear to net a shorthanded goal via the underside of the crossbar to put Knights 3-2 up.

Leeds claimed their third special-team goal of the night early in the final period after Brandon Ayliffe was binned for slashing, Matt Barron whipping a shot home at the far post.

And the hosts sealed a 5-2 win in the 50th minute when Ethan Hehir struck, with Gospel taking their man of the match award for a 31-save display.

But Prevost - enjoying his role as a forward - remained upbeat, adding: "Life has been good, I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of support from our fan base and also have loved ones come and visit.

"I love providing offence and celebrating with my teammates - the position I play while doing that is indifferent to me."