NIHL Weekend Action

Sharks eclipse Stars to hold onto top spot

Solway Sharks    2

Billingham Stars 1

Travelling to Dumfries to face Martin Grubb’s Sharks after last weekend’s 4-3 overtime cup loss to Solway, Billingham Stars were aiming to avenge this narrow defeat with a victory of their own on the road. With backup netminder Mark Watson absent in the wake of James Flavell’s injury woes, it was the turn of young shot stopper Callum Reynolds to take his place between the pipes whilst forward Jack Davies made his return to the side, having parted company with the Stars late last season. By comparison, the Sharks boasted the same line-up as in recent weeks, with in-form forward Iain Bowie, first choice netminder Calum Hepburn and Czech imports Marek Charvat and Vaclav Kolarik amongst those at Grubb’s disposal.

Photo Credit: Duncan Speirs 

From faceoff, both teams were keen to get ahead and it showed as play switched between zones with rapidity. Whilst Billingham’s Latvian import Deniss Baškatovs battled to test netminder Hepburn, and forwards Chris Sykes, James Moss and Michael Bowman were amongst those striving to carve out some offensive opportunities for the visitors, Solway were equally quick to challenge the Stars’ eighteen-year-old netminder as top point scorer Bowie, left winger Steven Moore and hardworking alternate captain James Hutchinson aimed to make an impact on the game. Despite several efforts from both outfits, neither could find the back of the net, though Solway outshot the Stars by thirteen to eight. With the score line 0-0 after twenty minutes played, the two sides headed in with the knowledge that this game was going to be the challenge that they had anticipated.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With nothing separating the sides on their return to the ice, both were eager to take the lead but it was Billingham Stars who made the most of their chances early in the second period to go ahead of the home team, alternate captain Sykes on the scoresheet yet again as his partnership with line mate Baškatovs paid off on 23:59. Disappointed to concede with the game having been so close in the first period, the Sharks were relentless in their efforts to draw level, peppering Reynolds with their many attempts but the young netminder remained strong between the pipes to ensure his side’s lead was not immediately torn away from them. Solway then found themselves with the advantage when Stars’ ‘D’ man Dave Thomas was sinbinned for hooking as referee David Emmerson made his first penalty call of the evening on 30:35. Placed on the power play, Solway set their sights on goal but Billingham defended tirelessly to prevent the home team from equalising. It was not long after that Grubb’s men were presented with a second chance however, this time former Shark Darren Stattersfield making way for roughing on 36:07. With one chance having already slipped by, the Dumfries outfit were not about to let another opportunity pass without capitalising so it was little surprise when the Sharks continued to apply pressure to Reynolds’ net to finally make their mark on the game; left winger Moore the man on target courtesy of defenceman Charvat and two-way player Connor Henderson. The game now level at 1-1, the Stars were dismayed to have been punished as a result of their momentary lack of discipline and were quick to set their sights on goal again but the Sharks were equally relentless in their offensive efforts to see the game become a stalemate with neither team able to add to their tally before the break.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning to the ice with the points still hanging in the balance, the Stars were hopeful that they could avoid a repeat of last weekend’s crushing defeat whilst Solway aimed to complete their comeback. Though both teams continued from where they left off, it was the turn of Solway to go shorthanded as young forward Daniel Abercrombie was sidelined for a high-sticks offence to award Billingham the power play. Despite their attempts to challenge Hepburn, the Stars found their efforts quashed by the Sharks and were immediately made to regret their inability to punish Solway, the home team returning to full strength only to hit home eighteen seconds later through Bowie as he buried the rebound of Lewis Houston’s shot. Elated to take the lead in such a close game, Solway began to enjoy their possession though they struggled to claim a two-goal cushion whilst Billingham were not without their own chances and desperately looked to draw level. With time fast running out and the Stars still searching for an equaliser, Billingham opted for a timeout on 59:08 which resulted in the side pulling Reynolds from his net to allow for the additional skater in the last thirty seconds of the game. As such, the Teessiders began to push for overtime whilst Solway eyed an empty net goal but, as neither situation materialised, the final buzzer confirmed the Sharks’ 2-1 home victory, leaving the Stars frustrated to have missed out yet again.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Reflecting on this game, Head Coach Martin Grubb took time to comment: “Saturday was another close game against the Stars but, if I’m honest, I thought it was a poor game, low in quality from both teams. It wasn’t up to the usual standard of these games. I thought we were very poor but I’m happy we got the win.” Meanwhile, alternate captain Chris Sykes shared his thoughts on Billingham’s defeat: “One game and it was just the cup. It was a tough ask when we found out both goalies were missing for the game which obviously puts us on a back step. But young Callum Reynolds stepped up and played a great, solid goaltending game, so fair play. The game was a well-fought, end-to-end game and both teams had chances but both goalies played well. Solway nicked it and we just couldn’t grab a second goal. It was a good cup game and something we used as a building step. Onto next week!”

  

Warriors extinguish Dragons’ fire to go fifth

The Dragons          6

Whitley Warriors  11

  

Making the trip to Deeside Leisure Centre to take on Scott McKenzie’s Dragons on Sunday, Whitley Warriors were hopeful to build on last weekend’s promising performances against Solway Sharks and Blackburn Hawks, having contended closely with both sides to claim a point from their opening weekend. Though forwards Callum Watson, Adam Finlinson, Anthony Wetherell, Jamie Ord and last season’s first choice netminder Richie Lawson were amongst those making up Whitley’s absentee list, player-coach David Longstaff found himself with a strong squad at his disposal as forward Shaun Kippin made his return following his two-game suspension whilst long-serving captain Dean Holland, Canadian import Phil Edgar and shot stopper Mark Turnbull were amongst those raring to make an impact for the Hillheads outfit. The Dragons, meanwhile, proved to be almost equal in number with seventeen skaters besides experienced netminder Graeme Bird who took his place between the pipes for a second time since signing for the club last week.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice with a desire to make their presence felt in the opening stages of the first period, Whitley Warriors picked up from where they left off last weekend, demonstrating some excellent offensive play as defenceman Harry Harley and forward Ben Richards worked together to test Dragons’ shot stopper Bird at the earliest opportunity. Close to scoring on this occasion, the Warriors continued to play with high intensity to trouble the home team and it was therefore little surprise when player-coach David Longstaff hit home on 2:34, following neat passing play between Richards and former Dragon Shaun Kippin. With the Dragons stunned by this early goal, the Warriors looked to double their lead and did so approximately four minutes later, this time Edgar’s partnership with Kippin paying off to see the latter grab the first goal of his 2017-18 campaign. Realising their need to reply, the Dragons began to counter the Warriors’ attacking play and were handed the advantage shortly afterwards as Holland headed to the sinbin for roughing. Though unable to score with the additional man, captain James Parsons opened his side’s account to spur his team on just seconds after Whitley returned to full strength. This goal appeared to have the desired effect as the Welsh outfit then set their sights on a second, alternate captain Andrew Chappell beating Turnbull to level the scoring at 2-2 with just over two minutes of the period remaining.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

A tripping call against Bird running into the second stanza, the Warriors returned with nineteen seconds of their power play remaining but hopes of reclaiming their lead faded fast as the Dragons sustained their momentum to score shorthanded just seven seconds in, this time McKenzie going it alone to present his team with a one-goal advantage. Moments later, power forward Jordan Barnes awarded the Dragons their second power play when he made way for roughing, forward Geoff Wigglesworth punishing the Warrior’s misdemeanour just ten seconds later with an unassisted effort to make it 4-2. As Whitley battled to recover lost ground, the Dragons’ two-goal lead did not last long as Kippin grabbed his second of the evening to alter the scoreboard on 24:43, Richards and Longstaff arriving in support of their line mate. Determined to chip away at their deficit, Whitley drew level just before the halfway point in the period as Kippin sealed his hat trick, long-serving Warrior DJ Good linking up with Richards on this occasion. However, just over two minutes later, the Warriors conceded a fifth as McKenzie and Bannon teamed up to see player-assistant coach Mickaël Brodin slip past Whitley’s defence. Shortly after this goal, the Dragons managed to get the puck over the red line once again but a scramble in front of Turnbull’s net saw referee Roy Hamilton disallow this effort. It was not long after though that the Warriors fell behind by two goals once more, a tripping call against Holland allowing the Dragons to make the most of their additional man when Bannon received the puck from experienced forward Brian Worrall to send Shaun Dippnall through on goal. The score line 6-4 ahead of the third period, the Hillheads outfit went in at the break with a two-goal deficit to overturn.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Preparing for the ultimate comeback, Whitley returned with their spirit intact as they immediately focused their efforts on Bird’s net, with success arriving just twenty four seconds into the period, Richards printing his name on the scoresheet with help from Kippin and Harley. Matters were made worse for the Dragons when Parsons was shown to the sinbin for tripping thirty three seconds after this goal which presented Holland with an opportunity to equalise, the captain unleashing a shot on the power play as Longstaff and Harley picked up assists. Forty five seconds later, Brodin joined Parsons in the sinbin to present Whitley with the advantage of a five-on-three situation. Not about to waste this golden opportunity to get ahead in the game, Holland’s superb work rate paid off soon after, Longstaff and Richards respectively picking up their third and fourth assists. This goal prompting a timeout from the Dragons, Whitley could sense that they now had the upper hand in this contest and it began to show as Kippin hammered home his fourth goal of the game to make it 8-6 before working with Longstaff to assist Richards who added a ninth to the Warriors’ tally just seventeen seconds later. With just over ten minutes remaining in the period, and a change of netminder for the Dragons as Jonah Armstrong replaced Bird, it was the turn of Edgar to get in on the action, the Canadian’s persistence paying off as Good and Richards collected assists. It was after this goal that Longstaff opted to call a timeout to ensure that his side remained composed though they were four goals ahead, the player-coach not taking any chances with the knowledge that the Dragons have a reputation for fighting until the final buzzer. Having waited so long for a goal in this game, Edgar’s second then arrived just twenty three seconds after Whitley’s timeout, Good once again on hand following link-up play from Barnes. The game now well and truly beyond the Dragons with the score line 11-6, the Warriors saw out the game comfortably, with respective penalties of boarding and interference for Dragon Ryan Jones and Warrior Kyle Ross in the latter stages of the period having no impact on the final outcome of the game.

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, player-coach David Longstaff shared: “I thought we were great for the first ten minutes, then absolutely shocking for the next thirty. We regrouped in the period break and we were excellent in the last period.”

  

Lions’ pride unshakeable as Sharks hunt down points 

Nottingham Lions   3

Solway Sharks        5

Travelling to the National Ice Arena with fourteen skaters, besides netminder Calum Hepburn and backup shot stopper Chris Rae, Solway Sharks were aiming to maintain their excellent form, having yet to suffer a defeat in NIHL North’s Division One. However, Martin Grubb’s men were aware that this would be no easy task, particularly as newly promoted side Nottingham Lions put up more than a fight against two former EPL outfits in recent weeks. Lining up for this fixture, Matt Bradbury’s twenty-two-man squad appeared a formidable one, with former Elite League forward Warren Tait, two-time EIHL champion Marc Levers and Czech forward Ondrej Pniok amongst those available for the team.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Filing onto the ice for the first period, Solway Sharks were keen to gain a head start in this contest but it was no mean feat as they came up against the Lions’ sturdy defence who were able to fend off attacking play from the Dumfries outfit in the early stages of the game to enjoy some chances of their own, though Hepburn remained strong between the pipes. However, Solway were persistent in their efforts to get on the scoresheet and it was not long before they did so, left winger Steven Moore picking out Czech defenceman Marek Charvat who was able to beat netminder Thomas Hovell from the blue line on 6:55. Refusing to back down, Nottingham continued to test Hepburn’s reflexes and it was not long after that they were able to execute a goal of their own as former Tiger Joseph Ashton picked out Tait who fired home with close to ten minutes played to level the scoring in spectacular style. Growing in confidence as a result of this goal, the Lions were quick to double their tally as import Pniok slotted home just thirty eight seconds later to catapult his side into the lead, this time Levers and fellow forward Paul Stanley with the assists. Stunned by this turn of events, the Sharks looked to get back on track and were presented with the perfect opportunity to equalise when Levers headed to the sinbin for a hooking offence on 17:40 but Solway found it difficult to compete with the Lions’ penalty kill and, as such, Nottingham were able to head in with a narrow lead, but a lead nonetheless.

Photo Credit: CHUD Photography

On their return to the ice, the Sharks found the game to be a lot closer as Nottingham guarded their lead with fervour, causing Solway to struggle to capitalise on their creative play. Whilst Moore continued to cause problems for the Lions alongside forwards Struan Tonnar, Ross Murray and Iain Bowie, Levers and Tait shone for the home side and it was little surprise that Nottingham were able to establish a two-goal cushion around the halfway point of the period when young forward Cameron Pywell hit home following neat link-up play from forwards Ruskin Hughes and Joe Humphries. Worried by their increasing deficit, the Sharks retaliated just under two minutes later as defenceman Kyle Horne integrated Murray into play to allow the alternate captain to setup Moore who made his effort count to keep his team in the game. A tripping penalty for youngster Daniel Abercrombie soon followed to hand Nottingham a power play but Solway remained focused on the penalty kill to return to full strength unscathed. With time fast running out in this period and neither team adding any further to their tally, the Lions left the ice with a goal separating themselves from the Sharks.

  

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Aware that more would be needed to overcome Nottingham in their home rink, Solway immediately piled the pressure onto Hovell after faceoff to claim an equaliser with just twenty eight seconds played, this time Bowie the man on target courtesy of Moore and young blue liner Stuart Kerr. Disappointed to see their lead slip from their grasp, the Lions gave their all to keep the Sharks at bay but their efforts were to no avail as Solway grabbed the lead for a second time, Connor Henderson beating Hovell with support from Abercrombie and young prospect Scott Henderson on 44:24. The score line still close, Nottingham continued to demonstrate their ability to thwart Solway’s offensive play and were soon handed the advantage when Charvat was shown to the sinbin for boarding on 52:38. Placed on the power play, the Lions set their sights on Hepburn’s goal but the Dumfries outfit were not about to part with their lead having worked hard to achieve it and were restored to five men without further concession. With Solway only just ahead by shots on goal, firing fifteen at Hovell in comparison to the fourteen that Hepburn was faced with, the points hung in the balance going into the final minute of the game which prompted a timeout call from the Lions. Pulling netminder Hovell in a bid to grab an equaliser and subsequently take the game into overtime, it was a gamble that Nottingham needed to make but it was not one that paid off as Connor Henderson found fellow forward Joe Coulter who bagged himself an empty net goal with twenty seconds to spare. The result 5-3 in Solway’s favour, Grubb’s men now find themselves top of the table with six points from three games and a better goal difference than that of Telford Tigers who sit in second place.

Adding to his earlier comments, Grubb shared: “This was a high-paced game and Nottingham played very well. I didn’t think we were at our best for forty minutes and the Lions punished our mistakes but we regained our composure and showed our character in yet another game to come from behind and win. We set out for four points and got them and that is what matters but we need to improve.”

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