NIHL Weekend Action

Stars fire way to glory as Blackburn beaten in shootout

Billingham Stars      4

Blackburn Hawks     3

Situated in third place of the NIHL North Cup, reigning champions Billingham Stars were eager to contend with Steven Duncombe’s Blackburn Hawks on Saturday in the hope that a victory would reduce the points gap between themselves and the Lancashire outfit as they continue to defend their North Cup title. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to centre ice for faceoff, both teams were prepared to execute their game plans to the letter but the visitors got off to the better start when defenceman Nick Oliver punished Stars’ netminder Mark Watson on 3:16, following build up play from youngster James Royds and forward Bobby Caunce. Soon after conceding this goal, Billingham found themselves with the advantage as Blackburn’s Bobby Streetly headed to the sin bin for a cross check to hand the opposition a power play. Despite their efforts, the Stars failed to make their additional man count as the Hawks proved effective on the penalty kill. Just two seconds after returning to full strength, Duncombe’s men were shorthanded for a second time having received a bench minor for too many men. Again though, Billingham were unable to find an equaliser and watched as Blackburn’s penalty kill terminated without further punishment. With close to half of the period played, both teams had had their fair share of chances to ensure that shot stoppers Watson and Stuart Ashton were equally tested but, as the Hawks continued to hold the edge over Terry Ward’s men with their one-goal lead, Billingham’s Matthew Campbell incurred a minor interference penalty. This their first power play of the game, the Hawks were not about to waste their advantage, lighting the lamp on 19:44 through Caunce as player-coach Duncombe and alternate captain Rick Bentham picked up assists to establish a two-goal cushion for their side before the first interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Determined to get back in the game, Billingham returned for the middle stanza and were quickly handed a third power play as Hawks’ captain Ollie Lomax conceded two minutes for holding with just thirty two seconds played. Eleven seconds later, Lomax was joined by forward Aaron Davies who received a minor for hooking to present the Stars with a five-on-three situation. Ward’s men found it difficult to find a way past Ashton and it was only with two seconds remaining of Davies’ penalty that Billingham were finally able to make it 2-1, Swedish import Dennis Boström hitting the target after some hard work from player-coach Michael Bowman and forward Chris Sykes. This power play goal spurring Billingham into action, it was not long before the side drew level as unlikely scorer Scott Ward hit home forty seven seconds later, having received the puck from alternate captain Callum Davies; Michael Elder also achieving an assist. Again lacking discipline, the Hawks conceded another penalty as James Riddoch made way for tripping on 29:23. Not for the first time, the Teessiders failed to capitalise with the advantage but received a second opportunity approximately five minutes after Riddoch had been restored to the ice when Bentham was considered to have delayed the game. Leaving it late once more, the Stars were eventually able to make this opportunity count with six seconds of their power play left as defensive player-coach and captain Richie Thornton threaded the puck to import Daniel Palmebjörk who slotted it past Ashton to give Billingham the lead for the first time in the game.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Finding themselves on the back foot following this sudden shift in the game, Blackburn went into the third period with the recovery of lost ground a priority, having led from the opening stages of the contest. With a little over five minutes played, the Hawks were handed the perfect chance to draw level and did so as Campbell conceded his second penalty of the evening on 45:17. Twenty four seconds later, Watson found himself picking the puck from his net for a third time as Finnish import Mikko Sierman teamed up with Duncombe who ignited his team’s hopes of revival with an equaliser. Though both teams again created chances in their offensive zones, neither the Stars nor the Hawks could break their opposition down and, as the two sides battled, Star Chris Sykes found himself ejected from the encounter, receiving five minutes plus game for high sticks on 55:24. The remainder of this period goalless, the clash headed into overtime with five minutes of three-on-three ice hockey ensuing. Despite efforts from both sides to end the game, the 3-3 score line remained intact at the end of overtime and consequently the result of the game was to be determined by penalty shots. First up to take a shot was Bentham whose attempt was saved by Watson before Elder hit home to put the Stars ahead. Whilst the Hawks’ next two penalties were saved, the side were offered some relief as forward Jack Watkins hit the puck at Ashton. Following these shots, both Blackburn’s Aaron Davies and Star Richie Thornton scored whereas Hawks Philip Mulcahy and Caunce saw their shots saved alongside Billingham forward, Bowman. Meanwhile, a missed penalty for Callum Davies, a strike of the post from Tom Parkinson and another save by Ashton made for a tense atmosphere to say the least. Goals from Duncombe and Ward were then followed by Oliver’s shot which went high, allowing the Stars to hammer home a victory when defenceman Andy Finn coolly found the back of the net to present his team with two points.

Sharks snap win as tempestuous Tigers lose discipline 

Solway Sharks 6

Telford Tigers  2

With these two teams currently poles apart in terms of recent league performances, Telford Tigers made the lengthy trip to Dumfries with hopes of challenging current league leaders Solway Sharks. Whilst Head Coach Martin Grubb found himself with only twelve skaters on the night, Jordan Buesa icing with Elite League outfit Braehead Clan and injuries to defencemen James Wallace and Stuart Andrews, forward Marc Fowley and netminder Kieran Hobbins preventing the quartet from playing, Telford travelled with an equally depleted squad of thirteen skaters and two netminders.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Eager to get ahead in the game, the Tigers battled in the opening moments of the first period to take the lead with only 2:19 played as hardworking forward Matt Viney linked up with player-coach Daniel MacKriel who successfully found a way past Sharks’ netminder Calum Hepburn. Following the concession of this early goal, Solway’s Joe Coulter found himself sinbinned for elbowing shortly afterwards to add to the pressures his team were facing. However, proving to be organised on the penalty kill, the home side returned to five men unscathed. In the time that passed, Grubb’s men began to increase their control in the game to apply further pressure to shot stopper Daniel Brittle. A minor penalty for Viney on 9:48 provided the Dumfries outfit with the opportunity they were searching for as passing play between young forward Duncan Speirs and Finnish import Kim Miettinen led the duo to assist captain Struan Tonnar who equalised with thirty seconds of Telford’s penalty remaining. Disappointed to have lost their lead, the Tigers battled to create chances in their offensive zone but a second penalty conceded on 16:47 by captain Daniel Croft hampered the side’s efforts and the outfits headed in at the break with a goal apiece.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning for the second period, Solway’s hopes to take the lead for the first time in the game were put on hold as Speirs incurred a tripping penalty just twenty two seconds in to hand the Tigers a power play. Despite this advantage, the visitors struggled to make their additional man count, only for the Sharks to return to full strength and quickly enhance their dominance in the game. Outshooting the Tigers by twenty four shots to five, it was perhaps little surprise that Solway were next to score as forward Connor Henderson slotted home on 31:04 with support arriving from left winger Steven Moore and alternate captain Ross Murray. Two minutes later, Joseph Aston was punished for a slashing offence to award the Sharks a power play. Though unable to capitalise, a penalty conceded by former EPL forward Luke Brittle, just thirty four seconds after Aston made his return to the ice , presented the Dumfries outfit with the advantage. Continuing to demonstrate their fortitude, the Tigers were not about to let the game slip away from them so easily and it was with this determination that James Smith managed to place his side back on level terms with some help from Croft. Whilst this shorthanded goal was cause for much celebration, Telford’s jubilation did not last long as Solway were quick to retaliate when Miettinen collected the puck from blue liner James Hutchinson to send Speirs through on goal to make it 3-2 in the last minute of the period.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With just one goal separating the two sides, the game was still very much in the balance as both teams filed onto the ice for the final period. Trying their best to equalise from the start, the Tigers were again hindered by their lack of discipline as MacKriel headed to the sin bin for tripping only to be joined by defenceman Corey Goodison thirty five seconds later. This five-on-three situation provided Solway with the perfect chance to add to their tally and it was not long before the side had lit the lamp for a fourth time as Slovakian import Juraj Senko worked with Hutchinson to allow Ben Edmonds to achieve his second goal of his campaign. Just seconds after the concession of this goal, the game became rather heated as Telford’s Daniel Brittle and Croft chose to clash with Sharks Murray and Henderson whilst MacKriel left the bench to involve himself in the fracas. In consequence, the player-coach picked up a further forty seven penalty minutes which included two game misconducts for leaving the bench and for unsportsmanlike behaviour to find himself ejected from the game. Also ejected, netminder Brittle received 2+2 for roughing, a five minute penalty for fighting plus a game misconduct, whilst teammate Croft received 2+2 for roughing. By comparison, Murray also received 2+2 for roughing alongside Henderson who was handed an additional two minutes for a crosscheck. These penalties timed at 46:36, Telford were left little choice other than to switch to backup netminder Louis Edwards and both teams were punished further as Sharks’ forward Speirs and Telford’s Matthew Price took seats in the sin bin for slashing offences. Just twenty six seconds after these penalties were recorded, Solway opted to add a fifth to their name as Tonnar’s unassisted effort made its way beyond Edwards with less than ten minutes of the period played. With both teams eventually returning to full strength, it was clear that the momentum was with the home side and Solway were able to round off their scoring in the fifty third minute of play as Senko printed his name on the scoresheet courtesy of Coulter and Speirs. The threat of the visitors’ offence greatly reduced, Grubb switched Hepburn for shot stopper Chris Rae for the remaining four and a half minutes of the game but, with only three shots fired his way, there was very little work left for the netminder to do as the final buzzer sounded on Solway’s 6-2 victory. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, Head Coach Martin Grubb looked back on this clash: “We knew we would be facing a tough game as, although Telford haven’t had the results so far, they are a well-coached and organised team who will start picking up results soon enough. They started better than we did and we need to make sure we come out faster and get into the game quicker and our first period was poor. We made a few adjustments at the break and started to control the game more and created plenty of chances but poor finishing and good goaltending kept the game tight. We knew in the third period we needed to up the tempo and we were aggressive, created chances and kept our discipline to ensure we got the win we needed but we know we need to play better.”

Hard fought battle sees Warriors silence Sting

Whitley Warriors   4

Sutton Sting         2

True to David Longstaff’s prediction ahead of this fixture, Whitley Warriors’ home clash with Sutton Sting was always going to be a close one with the teams being so evenly matched in the past, and this encounter proved to be no exception. Whilst the Tigers iced just thirteen skaters against Longstaff’s almost full strength line up, former Warrior Ally Brummitt joined Whitley in this encounter to make his first appearance for the club since his departure in 2013.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Preparing for the first puck drop, it was apparent that both sides were raring to go and, as the game got underway, a strong competition ensued as Simon Butterworth’s short benched Sutton set out to prove that they were more than a match for the Hillheads outfit. Digging deep and working hard across all areas of the ice, the Warriors were eager to get ahead in the game but were prevented from doing so by the Sting’s organised defence. Ensuring that his presence was felt on the ice, alternate captain Ryan Johnson guided his team through moments of pressure in the early stages whilst captain James Spurr and former EPL forward Lloyd Gibson was amongst those trying to break into Whitley’s defensive zone. It was not long before the opening goal of the game arrived, with the home side the first to take the lead as the Warriors played the puck around Dmitri Zimozdra’s net before Longstaff found fellow forward Callum Watson who weaved through Sutton’s defence to light the lamp in style. Continuing to work hard despite the concession of this goal, the Sting proved to be a tricky opponent for Longstaff’s men and a long shot from youngster Joe Colton on 10:54 carved its path beneath Richie Lawson who was unable to make the save. Though several chances fell to both teams, including close linkup play between Watson and Longstaff once more, neither team could add to the scoreboard prior to the interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

As play resumed, the fast paced tempo of the game continued with both sides competing in an attempt to present an edge over their difficult opposition. The early stages of the second period brought about the first penalty of the game as referee Dave Farren dealt enforcer Andre Payette a minor penalty for slashing with just over a minute played. The penalty kill one of Whitley’s strengths in recent games, the side were able to defend well to contend with the Sting. Just over four minutes after this penalty terminated, player-coach Longstaff also found himself handed a minor for slashing. Once more, Butterworth’s men were unable to capitalise with the additional man and, much to Whitley’s relief, Longstaff was restored to the ice without the concession of a power play goal. With nothing yet separating the two outfits, the Warriors fought to take the lead for a second time and did so on 33:57 when play between blue liner Dan Pye and forward Martin Crammond eventually found former recreational player Lawson Glasby who went on to achieve his fourth goal of the season. Whitley’s joy proved to be short-lived however as just under a minute later, Charlie Thompson found the target when Colton returned the favour for his earlier assist. The score line 2-2, Lawson had barely picked the puck out of his net before it had made its way to the other end of the ice courtesy of Warrior Shaun Kippin whose assist provided Watson with the chance to grab his second goal of the game. Recovering from the loss of their lead so quickly, the Warriors worked hard to ensure that the Sting did not draw level and instead watched on as Sutton conceded their first penalty of the game when Zimozdra’s tripping offence caught the eye of referee Farren with just seventeen seconds of the period remaining.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Heading onto the ice for the final stanza, Sutton were eager to find a way back into the game, knowing that the points were still very much hanging in the balance, whilst the Warriors were aware that their lead could easily be overturned. Again, the style of play remained at the same standard as before but with the added tension that the game was far from decided. Starting on the power play, the Warriors sought an opportunity to increase Sutton’s deficit but, as the side failed to capitalise, this tension became more apparent as captain Dean Holland then made his way to the sin in for a tripping offence on 44:27 to provide the visitors with a power play. Equally, the Sting were unable to punish their opposition with the advantage of the additional man and found themselves still trailing by a goal when Holland returned to the ice. With play frantic and end-to-end, both sides continued in the same vein but again the Warriors’ movement into their offensive zone was inhibited by the concession of yet another penalty as youngster Anthony Wetherell found himself sinbinned for tripping with just under six minutes remaining. Working to clear their lines, the Warriors held on to their lead and returned to five men only for Sutton to call a timeout approximately two minutes later as the side looked to increase their application of pressure in front of Lawson’s goal with hopes that they could at least take a point from the game. Pulling Zimozdra from his net to ice an additional forward, the Sting then bombarded Whitley with their attacking play as the Warriors directed their attentions to the empty net. It was only with seventeen seconds remaining that skilled blue liner Harry Harley was able to play the puck beyond Sutton’s men to watch his shot glide into the empty net at the other end of the ice. The final score 4-2, the buzzer called time on a fraught but thrilling game of ice hockey between two dedicated and determined line-ups to allow Whitley Warriors to remain in fourth place with eleven points whilst Sutton Sting peer over their shoulder in fifth position. Commenting after the game, player-coach David Longstaff noted: “It was a good result but we didn’t play particularly well. I think we did enough to get the two points.”

Sharks steal points from Dragons den to continue unbeaten run

The Dragons          2

Solway Sharks     5

This game was always going to be a tricky fixture for a short benched Solway Sharks who made the lengthy trip to Deeside with just twelve skaters whereas Scott McKenzie’s Dragons, by comparison, were able to ice the core of their team, including new signing Jordan Bannon.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Determined to set a precedent from the beginning of the game, The Dragons began well to quickly take the lead with just over two minutes played as player-coach Scott McKenzie found the back of the net with his unassisted effort to ensure that the visitors’ welcome was not a warm one. Fifty three seconds later though, The Dragons handed Solway a power play as Bannon made his way to the sin bin following a slashing offence. This presented the Sharks with the advantage but Martin Grubb’s men found it difficult to make the most of this opportunity, allowing the home side to return to full strength without further punishment. Not playing their best hockey in the opening stages of the game, Solway were then handed another chance to draw level when The Dragons’ captain Markus Kankaanranta made way for hooking on 12:15 but, though the Sharks had thirteen shots on goal, Grubb again saw his side struggle to fire the puck beyond young netminder Jonah Armstrong to head in with a 1-0 deficit at the end of the first period.

Returning to the ice with Grubb’s words still ringing in their ears, the Sharks opted to improve their performance in the second period, scoring less than three minutes in through young forward Duncan Speirs whose effort was supported by captain Struan Tonnar. This equaliser then spurred on Solway who were able to take the lead just over two minutes later as a pass from Joe Coulter to Slovakian import Juraj Senko saw Speirs achieve his second of the game, stunning The Dragons with their sudden change of fortune. The score line now 2-1 in Solway’s favour, McKenzie and his men attempted to battle back but to no avail and it was only after the halfway point of the period that the Deeside outfit were given some reprieve as Shark Kim Miettinen headed to the sin bin to hand the home side their first power play of the encounter. Despite this, The Dragons were forced to contend with Solway’s hardworking defence and failed to get back on level terms with the additional skater. Just fourteen seconds later, the Sharks’ took their turn to go on the power play as  import Filip Supa made way for holding. Once more, the Sharks could not extend their lead and were eventually made to pay for their inability to capitalise as The Dragons bagged an equaliser with on 38:20 when ‘D’ man Gavin Austin played the puck to Kankaanranta who did not miss his mark to earn his eleventh goal of the season, thereby allowing his team to head in at the interval on a level playing field.

With both teams hoping to secure victory, The Dragons were aware of the challenge ahead against the league leaders whilst Solway were eager to regain their lead once more. Building on their second period performance, the Dumfries outfit strove to control the remainder of game and executed their chance on 47:30 as Tonnar punctuated the game with Solway’s third goal, assists arriving from left winger Steven Moore and hardworking Senko. Shortly afterwards, a clash between Dragon Alex Parry and Sharks’ forward Speirs saw the former receive 2+2 for roughing whilst the latter earned a two minute penalty for the same offence. With Speirs returning to the ice first, the forward was only just reinstated when forward Connor Henderson made the most of link up play between Moore and alternate captain Ross Murray to create a two-goal lead for his side. In consequence, this goal prompted a timeout from the visitors but it was the Sharks who had the final say as Speirs secured his hat trick with the help of Miettinen to make it 5-2 with just fifty three seconds of play remaining.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Claiming two points from this victory, the Sharks continue to peer down on their competition from poll position whereas The Dragons are now sixth, though tied with Sutton on seven points. Speaking after this encounter, Head Coach Martin Grubb reflected: “We travelled very short and knew we would face a Dragons team who were looking to respond from previous defeats and they came out ready to play, dominated the first with their work rate and I was disappointed with our start. The second period I asked for a response, for us to show our desire and character, and we played much better and took the game to the Dragons but still were a little sloppy defensively. The third period was about managing the game and taking the chances we were creating and we had some big performances to ensure we got the points we needed. The weekend was a tough one and we wanted to ensure our lack of bodies was not used as an excuse. We showed huge character to find a way to win so I am pleased with that.”

Tigers tamed as Stars shine against Telford

Billingham Stars  5

Telford Tigers      1

Going into this game on the back of a narrow cup victory over Blackburn Hawks, Billingham Stars had a great deal of momentum as they took to the ice against Telford Tigers who find themselves at the foot of the table with only four points following their 6-2 defeat to Solway Sharks on Saturday. With neither side able to ice a full squad, either through injury or work commitments, the depleted line-ups took to the ice with hopes that they could achieve maximum points from this encounter.

With this their second home fixture of the weekend, Billingham Stars set their sights on goal from the off as the Tigers began their fight for possession. Despite both teams’ attempts to find a way through on goal, with Telford’s Matt Viney, Luke Brittle and player-coach Daniel MacKriel working hard to create offensive opportunities for their side, the Teessiders were able to get ahead in the game as Swedish import Dennis Boström slotted the puck past netminder Daniel Brittle following a pass from fellow forward Jack Watkins. Approximately one minute later, Star Michael Bowman found himself sinbinned for hooking to hand the opposition a power play but Telford were unable to punish Billingham’s misdemeanour. From here, a stalemate ensued between the shorthanded outfits as the Stars tried to double their lead whilst the Tigers aimed for an equaliser. However, with the absentee lists for both teams rather long, both sides struggled to make their chances count in the early stages of the clash and, whilst a slashing penalty against Matt Viney presented Billingham with their first power play, Terry Ward’s men found it difficult to place the best of their chances beyond Brittle to go in at the break with a narrow 1-0 lead.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Icing in the second, Billingham were aware that they needed to increase their pressure on Telford’s defence or risk punishment themselves and it was with this outlook that the side added their second through Chris Sykes’ unassisted goal which was preceded by Daniel Palmebjörk’s rebounded shot. Shortly afterwards, Billingham’s Matthew Campbell was made to serve a minor penalty for tripping on 23:24 but, less than a minute later, the ‘D’ man was joined by teammate Callum Read for the same offence. This presented the Tigers with a five-on-three situation but the visitors failed to contend with the Stars’ effective penalty kill which was soon to be to their detriment as Billingham found themselves on the power play at the termination of these penalties, following MacKriel’s concession of a minor for slashing. Building up some good possession on the advantage, it was only after this penalty was served that the home side were able to light the lamp; Sykes claiming his second unassisted effort of the evening to provide his team with a three-goal lead. With Billingham gradually increasing their control of the game, the Tigers’ task became progressively difficult, though forward Luke Brittle presented the side with several chances before finding himself on the wrong end of a holding call on 39:12 alongside Star Jack Emerson.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

This penalty running into the third period, a trip from Billy Nicholson placed Telford on a power play but the side were unable to find the back of the net. A clash between Read and Viney then saw the former receive two minutes for elbowing, five minutes for slashing and a twenty minute game misconduct penalty whilst the latter served only a minor for slashing. Placed on the power play for the second time in the period, the Tigers were able to make the most of the opportunity on this occasion as Luke Brittle set up Joseph Aston to make it 3-1. However, the Stars were quick to hit back and their fourth goal arrived just fifty two seconds later as Sykes completed his hat trick courtesy of Boström on 47:17, though his side were shorthanded. With the Stars now in control of the game, it was little surprise when the Teessiders added a fifth to their tally with less than five minutes remaining as Sykes rounded off his night with yet another goal, this time alternate captain Callum Davies on hand to assist. With the clock running down, the final buzzer eventually sounded on Billingham’s 5-1 victory, simultaneously concluding a challenging evening for the Shropshire outfit.

Holding onto second place for another week, Billingham now have fourteen points and are just one win away from poll position, though close rivals Solway Sharks have a game in hand. Reflecting on an excellent weekend for both himself and his club, Star Chris Sykes observed: “Saturday was a great spectacle for everyone to watch, with the game going to penalties, and we managed to pick up maximum points over the weekend against the same teams as last weekend. We are feeling good and are on a roll! It’s a good feeling. We then beat Telford in the league on Sunday and we had pretty much the same team as last weekend, even less with the Under 20s busy in their own age group, so to get full points again was really good.”

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