NIHL Weekend Action

Blackburn take shine from Stars as Hawks swoop to cup victory

Blackburn Hawks  3

Billingham Stars    2

Heading into this game following last weekend’s closely contested league defeat, Billingham Stars were more than aware of the challenge awaiting them as they made the trip to Blackburn Ice Arena on Saturday. Travelling with a strong squad of eighteen skaters and two netminders, the Teessiders were pleased with the addition of Stars’ player-coach Richie Thornton in defence, although injured shot stopper James Flavell was once again unable to ice whilst forward Luke Brown sat out the first game of his two match ban. Likewise, there were few changes to Steven Duncombe’s line-up, the only key differences being the addition of youngster Kyle Haslam, the absence of forward Aaron Davies and the decision to start netminder Stuart Ashton between the pipes with Niks Trapans as back-up in the absence of Stephen Fone.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With both sides intending to make their presence felt from the off, it was not long before referee Richard Belfitt dished out the first penalty of the game; Hawk Lee Pollitt earning himself two minutes for roughing on 3:13 to award Billingham a power play. Striving for a goal with the additional man, the Stars set their sights on Ashton’s net but their efforts were to no avail as the home team battled to prevent the Teessiders from taking the lead. However, Blackburn found themselves placed under even more pressure when a hooking penalty for forward Chris Gee followed just over four minutes later to again hand Billingham the advantage. Though import Deniss Baškatovs and forward Chris Sykes were amongst those with attempts on Ashton’s net, the netminder and his defence remained strong to kill the penalty. Blackburn’s lack of discipline hindering their offensive play, the Hawks incurred a third penalty on 10:28, this time captain Ollie Lomax sidelined for a slashing offence which again went unpunished by the Stars. Realising that they needed to have a more positive impact on the game, Duncombe’s men returned to full strength, empowered by their third successful penalty kill, and drove the puck into Mark Watson’s net just fifty five seconds later, James Riddoch playing fellow forward Rick Bentham through on goal. Eager to add another to their tally, the Hawks rallied to test Watson further but Billingham’s defence held strong and the visitors were not without their own chances, recording nine shots on Ashton’s net to the ten that Watson was faced with. Neither side able to add to the scoreboard before the break, the Hawks went in with a narrow 1-0 lead, knowing the Stars were far from out of the contest and without player-coach Duncombe who was forced to leave the ice after suffering a broken finger.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Heading into the second period, it was the turn of Billingham Stars to find themselves in the wrong as enforcer Callum Pattison headed to the sin bin for a crosscheck on 21:56. Disappointed to find themselves on the penalty kill, the Teessiders would not be beaten by this setback, instead finding a superb equaliser as Sykes slipped beyond the Hawks’ defence to unleash a shorthanded shot which levelled the scoring at 1-1. Undeterred, Blackburn began to pile the pressure on Billingham’s blue line once again and, just over three minutes later, Bentham propelled his team into the lead for a second time, though on this occasion with an excellent unassisted effort. The play end to end, neither side showed signs of slowing down and, as such, tensions began fray as Pattison clashed with Lomax to earn himself 2+2 for roughing whilst the Hawk also sat out two minutes for the same offence. Just over a minute later, young defenceman Darren Stattersfield received two minutes for delaying the game to add to the visitors’ penalty woes but the Stars were effective in defence to hold off Blackburn’s offensive play and it was only moments after both teams had returned to full strength that the Hawks added a third to their tally through alternate captain Luke Boothroyd, establishing a two-goal cushion in the process. Continuing to battle with Blackburn for possession, the Stars sought out an opportunity before the interval but, as time ran out, the visitors filed from the ice, trailing by three goals to one.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning to the ice for the third period, the Stars were eager to increase their offensive efforts to make Ashton work between the pipes but the side were perhaps a little too zealous as they incurred a bench minor for icing too many men on 43:34. Despite this, Billingham’s pressure did not let up and, less than two minutes after their return to full strength, Blackburn were prompted to call a timeout. With both teams relentless in their attempts to challenge their respective netminders, the game remained close and neither could make an immediate impact on the score line. A boarding penalty for Stattersfield just beyond the halfway point of the period saw the Hawks enjoy a power play but still the side could not extend their lead. Picking up a penalty of their own just over two minutes later, this time Bentham called to the sin bin for tripping, Blackburn handed Billingham the additional man and, though the Stars failed to score on the power play, they were able to create enough momentum to bag themselves a goal fifty three seconds after the Hawks were restored to five men; Sykes collecting his second of the game following linkup play from skilled forward James Moss. The score line narrowed to 3-2, the Stars were hopeful that the result would be different to that of last weekend’s league game and pulled netminder Watson seconds later before opting for a timeout on 59:10. Desperately searching for an equaliser to take the game into overtime, the Stars increased their offensive play but their efforts were simply not enough and it was with disappointment that the Teessiders made the trip back to Billingham having lost out to the Hawks for a second consecutive week.

  

Warriors battle on the road but Sharks seize points

Solway Sharks       3

Whitley Warriors     1

Travelling to Dumfries for the first game of their NIHL North campaign, Whitley Warriors found themselves without several key players including first choice netminder Richie Lawson, forwards Callum Watson, Adam Finlinson and Shaun Kippin, defenceman Craig Johnson and youngsters Jamie Ord and Anthony Wetherell. As such, the side made the trip with fifteen skaters and opted for shot stopper Mark Turnbull between the pipes whilst Martin Grubb’s Solway Sharks matched their visitors in number; Czech defenceman Vaclav Kolarik taking his place in the team alongside Houston brothers Luke and Lewis who were also available to ice.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With Whitley keen to start their season in the best possible way and the Sharks seeking two points to build on last weekend’s victory against The Dragons, both teams were eager to make an early impression on the game but it was the home team who were quickest off the mark as in-form forward Iain Bowie snatched the lead after some skilled play from left winger Steven Moore with 6:32 on the clock. The game unfolding at a rapid pace, the Warriors sought to level the scoring and a holding call against new signing Kolarik seemed like the perfect opportunity. However, though battling against the Sharks’ defence, the Warriors could not place the puck beyond Calum Hepburn, even with the hard work of some of their most skilled forwards, including import Philip Edgar and captain Dean Holland. Solway were restored to full strength just past the halfway mark of the period, both teams continuing their fight for possession, but the Sharks just edged shots on goal, firing eleven at Turnbull in comparison to the eight that Hepburn was faced with. As Grubb’s men struggled to extend their lead and the Warriors found it difficult to get back on level terms, the two sides headed in at the interval with only a goal to separate them.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Realising their need to create a two-goal cushion, Solway returned to the ice with their sights set firmly on the target and it was not long before the puck was slotted behind Turnbull for a second time as Bowie turned assist for Czech defenceman Marek Charvat on 22:07. Resolute though their deficit had increased, the Warriors continued to test netminder Hepburn but soon suffered a setback when blue liner Harry Harley found himself sinbinned for tripping. Finding themselves on the penalty kill and under pressure, the Warriors worked had to ensure that they did not concede and successfully returned to full strength unscathed, only to grab a goal of their own just under two minutes later as alternate captain Jordan Barnes linked up with import Edgar to see the Canadian achieve his first league goal for the Warriors on 30:46. Though their deficit was reduced to just one goal, the Warriors’ joy was extremely short-lived as Solway hit back just sixty seconds later, this time alternate captain Ross Murray receiving the puck from forward Joe Coulter to set Bowie up for his second of the evening, restoring the Sharks’ two-goal cushion in the process. Shortly afterwards, captain Struan Tonnar found himself sidelined for a slashing offence on 33:57 to hand the Warriors a power play. Despite this, the Dumfries outfit were able to kill the penalty well and, just twenty two seconds from its termination, were given some reprieve when Holland made way for slashing. As such, the visitors then found themselves under fire as Turnbull was called upon to deal with the Sharks’ offensive play and, whilst they were able to kill this penalty, Holland was restored to the ice for all of twelve seconds before he was shown to the sin bin once more, his offence hooking on this occasion. Holding onto their two-goal deficit, the Warriors returned to full strength thirteen seconds before the break and, as such, the home team were happy to head in with the lead for a second time.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The score line 3-1 heading into the third, the Warriors were hopeful that they could recover lost ground whilst Solway were aiming to hold onto their lead and to add to it if they could. It was little surprise then that both sides threw themselves into this period to play end-to-end ice hockey. Increasing their offensive on Hepburn’s goal, the Warriors were able to test the netminder far more than in the first and second periods whilst the Sharks were consistent in their forward play. Whilst Edgar, Barnes and Holland were amongst those trying their luck for Whitley, the Sharks continued to make use of forwards Bowie, Murray, Moore and Tonnar whilst defensive imports Kolarik and Charvat demonstrated their skill to pose a threat in front of goal. Though the period was fast-paced and play switched zones with rapidity, both netminders dealt with the shots they were confronted with and, realising that they needed to alter their play to grab a second goal, the Warriors called a timeout on 58:32. Pulling shot stopper Turnbull from his net in the final minute of the game to ice an additional skater, Whitley strove to reduce their deficit but were also on their guard as Solway sought an empty net goal to hammer home their victory. With neither team having any success in these respective pursuits, the final buzzer sounded to see the Sharks handed two points and the Warriors pleased with their opening performance in spite of their loss.

Considering the Sharks’ home victory, Head Coach Martin Grubb shared: “We knew it was going to be a tough game and that was the case. I felt we played pretty well defensively but I would have liked us to be better with our decision-making and create more clear cut chances. It was an open game and we were happy to get the win in our home opener in the league.”

  Hawks claw win as Warriors suffer overtime defeat

Whitley Warriors      2

Blackburn Hawks   3

Hoping to gain the first victory of their opening weekend, Whitley Warriors took to the ice with a strong roster of sixteen skaters, though the side were again without forwards Callum Watson, Adam Finlinson and Shaun Kippin, defenceman Craig Johnson and youngsters Jamie Ord and Anthony Wetherell. The Hawks, meanwhile, also lined up with an equally skilled line-up, missing only first choice netminder Stephen Fone. As a result, shot stopper Stuart Ashton was called upon to take his place between the pipes whilst Mark Turnbull assumed his position at the other end of the ice.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Fired up for their first home game of the season, the Warriors aimed to challenge Blackburn from the outset, with Canadian import Phil Edgar, captain Dean Holland and forward Ben Richards amongst those setting their sights on a goal early on. With less than two minutes played, Whitley were handed a power play as Hawk Bobby Streetly found himself sidelined for hooking and, though they were eager to get on the score sheet, the Warriors struggled to maintain possession on the power play as the visitors piled on the pressure. As such, the game was an even one in the early stages, as alternate captains James Neil and Luke Boothroyd sought out offensive opportunities for the Hawks whilst Warriors DJ Good, Jordan Barnes and Richards worked hard to fight for possession along the boards. As the game began to unfold at speed, young defenceman Liam Smedley was sinbinned for a slashing offence on 15:03 to award the Hawks their first power play and it took only twenty four seconds for Steven Duncombe’s men to capitalise, Boothroyd scoring his first league goal this season, following neat build up play from experienced forward Aaron Davies and young defenceman Lewis Baldwin. This goal spurring the Warriors on to equalise, the side continued to look dangerous in front of Ashton’s net, with Edgar weaving his way beyond Blackburn’s defence time and again. It was not long before the Warriors were able to draw a penalty call against the Hawks as forward James Riddoch made way for holding sticks on 19:13, leaving David Longstaff’s team on the power play as the sides headed in with one goal separating them.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning to the ice for the second period, the Warriors were determined to make the best of their power play, having let their earlier advantage slip by. Playing with a high tempo in front of Ashton’s net, Whitley were relentless and it took only fifty six seconds for their efforts to pay off, unsurprisingly Edgar finding the net after the puck was whisked through from Longstaff with support from defenceman Josh Maddock. Seven seconds later, a roughing penalty was dished out to Whitley’s defenceman Dan Pye after he caught Baldwin in the head when battling for the puck. This presented the Hawks with the additional man and, though they could not make the most of this opportunity due to the Warriors’ effective penalty kill, the score line did not remain 1-1 for much longer as Blackburn’s ‘D’ man Neil threaded a pass to forward Rick Bentham who did not miss his mark. Tying to bounce back from this goal with difficulty, the Warriors then incurred a bench minor for too many men but successfully ran down the clock to challenge their opposition on their return to full strength. With something of a stalemate developing between the two teams as both competed to a high standard, it was not until around eight minutes later that the puck was again in the back of the net as the Warriors found their second equaliser of the game on 36:21; Richards weaving his way through on goal to bury the puck after blue liner Harley and player-coach Longstaff surged into the Hawks’ defensive zone. The score line level at 2-2, both teams left the ice at the interval with nothing to separate their efforts.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Starting the third period with energy, both teams picked up from where they left off in their bid to edge ahead in the contest, Hawks’ youngster James Royds continuing to make a positive impact for his side. A tripping call against Riddoch five minutes into the period saw Whitley awarded a power play and, though pressing forward, the side found it difficult to maintain control of the puck in their offensive zone. However, Blackburn conceded a second penalty in quick succession which saw Riddoch leave the penalty box, only for Bentham to take his place following a boarding offence. Despite this four minute advantage, the home team struggled to make their efforts count, losing the intensity that they had shown earlier in the game. With both teams continuing to pursue a goal in the wake of overtime, it was the turn of stand-in alternate captain Martin Crammond to sit out for a slashing offence on 53:25 but, again, Whitley’s rapid line changes on the penalty kill ensured that no damage was done. The dying moments of the game playing out, Edgar tried his luck once more but it was not to be whilst Hawks’ forward Bentham and import Jozef Istocy also failed to execute their chances. Aiming to hold onto the draw to go into overtime and secure at least a point, the Warriors called a timeout on 59:46 to prepare for the challenge ahead and it was not long after that the final buzzer sounded to confirm that the game would run into overtime.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Opening three-on-three overtime play with Edgar, defencemen Harley and returning Warrior Kyle Ross, Whitley raced towards Ashton’s net and came close to burying the puck before the Hawks regained possession to test Turnbull. Moments later, Crammond then fired past Ashton but the goal was ruled out due to the puck hitting the netminder’s mask. Within a whisker of winning, the Warriors then incurred a penalty as Holland received two minutes for holding following his attempt to prevent Bentham from closing the game. As the Hawks were then awarded the power play, the game resumed with a four-on-three situation and, though giving their all to keep Blackburn at bay, the Warriors eventually suffered defeat when defenceman Lewis Baldwin slipped past Whitley’s defence to hit home a superb overtime winner. Though disappointed to lose out in this fashion, the Warriors gained a point for their efforts whilst the Hawks were equally deserving of their victory in a game which was highly competitive from faceoff to the final buzzer.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio after Whitley’s opening weekend of their campaign, player-coach David Longstaff shared: “I really enjoyed both games, even though we only got one point. Sunday’s game was one of the most exciting games at Whitley in years. We were just unfortunate to lose. It was a proper end-to-end game. Even I was excited watching the three-on-three overtime.”

  Stars lose out as rivals Solway snap up overtime winner 

Billingham Stars     3

Solway Sharks          4

Preparing for the second cup contest of their weekend, Billingham Stars took to the ice with an unchanged side from the one that faced Blackburn Hawks in their narrow 3-2 defeat on Saturday, the Teessiders missing injured netminder James Flavell, defenceman Andy Finn and suspended forward Luke Brown. Meanwhile, Martin Grubb’s Solway Sharks made the trip to The Forum with an identical line-up to that which played in the side’s 3-1 league victory over Whitley Warriors in the hope that they could continue with their excellent form.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

These clashes always a feisty affair, it was little surprise when the first penalties of the game were called with only thirty one seconds played, Stars’ defenceman Ross Hanlon heading to the sin bin for interference whilst Shark Connor Henderson was sidelined for a crosscheck. Just under a minute after the termination of these penalties, Billingham’s enforcer Callum Pattison and Solway’s Czech defenceman Marek Charvat were then shown to the sin bin for roughing and tripping respectively. Despite this, the home team did not allow this setback to prevent their offensive play as blue liner Richie Thornton played the puck to forward Deniss Baškatovs who slotted home twenty two seconds later to hand their side the lead. However, this goal did not see the Stars gain discipline and the side conceded another penalty on 6:07; Bowman serving time for delaying the game. Whilst Solway were awarded a power play as a result, their advantage did not last long as forward Joe Coulter made way for slashing soon after. Though Billingham failed to make the most of their short advantage when Bowman returned to the ice, the side were handed another power play opportunity on 12:19 when young blue liner Stuart Kerr was considered guilty of hooking. Applying pressure to Calum Hepburn’s net, the Stars claimed their second goal of the evening with over a minute of their advantage played, ‘D’ man Artūrs Ozols playing a neat pass to forward James Moss who linked up with Callum Davies to see his line mate score. Though the score line was 2-0 in Billingham’s favour, and the Sharks continued to search for a response to their deficit, there was no further scoring in this period with play remaining close; the visitors only just outshooting the Teessiders by ten attempts to nine.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning for the second period, the Stars were aiming to hang onto their lead against last season’s treble winners whilst the Sharks were holding out for a goal to get back in the game. Whilst a tripping penalty for Pattison on 23:00 presented the Dumfries outfit with the chance they were searching for, the side found it difficult to make their chances count against netminder Mark Watson and saw their opportunity wasted, only for Billingham to score just over a minute after returning to full strength, Baškatovs with his second following support from youngster Darren Stattersfield. Stunned to be losing by three goals to nil, Solway were quickly spurred into action just twenty three seconds later as Connor Henderson played the puck to left winger Steven Moore who unleashed a shot past Watson to see his team gain a foothold in the contest. Their lead reduced to a two-goal cushion, the Stars began to be troubled by the Sharks who became increasingly dangerous as the period progressed. In consequence, Billingham were to regret their missed chances as Solway snatched a second goal, Bowie finding the target whilst new signing Vaclav Kolarik picked up an assist. The two sides now separated by a single goal, Billingham were further disappointed when Hanlon was made to serve two minutes for holding with the interval almost upon them.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Shorthanded for the first forty two seconds of the third period, Billingham killed their penalty but Solway’s momentum was difficult to quash and some fast play from the visitors saw alternate captain Ross Murray place the puck beyond Watson after passing play from line mates Bowie and Coulter just over a minute later to achieve an emphatic equaliser. However, the Sharks’ celebrations were dampened somewhat when the Dumfries outfit received a bench minor for ice interference. Though Billingham found themselves with an additional man as a result of this, try as they might, they could not beat Hepburn who remained sturdy to ensure his team did not lose the lead again. This penalty killed, the Sharks then ran into further penalty trouble around the halfway point of the period when blue liner Scott Cooper incurred a minor for hooking. Again, the Stars were placed on the advantage but, once more, they could not capitalise, though Bowman and Moss were gifted individual chances to make their mark on the game. With neither side finding the back of the net in the dying moments of the third period, overtime loomed and was confirmed on the final buzzer. The game heading into three-on-three overtime, it did not take long for the outcome of the meeting to be decided as the puck trickled to Bowie who smashed his unassisted effort beyond Watson on 61:45 to see Solway leave The Forum with two points whilst the home side had to settle for just one.

Reflecting on Solway’s overtime cup win, Head Coach Martin Grubb observed: “We started very flat and were outplayed in the first thirty minutes by a hungrier team and I felt we were too soft on the puck. Once we scored, the momentum swung a little and we started to play. We said that we had to win both the second and third periods to ensure we at least got overtime and I felt we deserved that. Overtime is something we are comfortable with and got a huge character win but we can’t give teams a three goal lead as it will end up biting us. That said, a four point weekend was what we aimed for and I’m pleased we got that.” 

Meanwhile, looking back on Billingham’s cup action, alternate captain Chris Sykes told NIHL Northern Trio: “The double cup weekend didn’t go as planned; losing 3-2 to Blackburn again, exactly the same as the previous week, and just coming up short in overtime against Solway. We had a lead and we threw it away. We need to learn to keep the lead, to keep going and not just take our foot off the gas. There is plenty of time to rectify this though.”

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