Highflying Hawks soar to claim victory
over Stars
Blackburn
Hawks 10
Billingham
Stars 0
With
aspirations of a playoff spot, Billingham Stars went into this game aware that
they would have their work cut out against Daniel MacKriel’s Blackburn Hawks
who have produced a great deal of quality to earn their position at the top of
the league this season. Travelling without the injured Paul Windridge, Michael
Bowman and Jamie Pattison, the Stars were also without blue liners Will Robson
and Richie Thornton, forward Jack Emmerson and first choice netminder James
Flavell.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Yet,
taking to the ice for the first period, the Teesiders were able to match the
Hawks’ speed and skill to make the game a very even contest in the opening
minutes, the visitors quickly finding themselves on the power play courtesy of
a Tom King charging penalty. The Stars, unable to find the first goal of the
game with this advantage, and little separating the Lancashire hosts from their
fifth placed opposition, MacKriel’s men eventually went on the attack and they
soon reaped their rewards as Canadian import RJ Berra and forward Lee Pollitt
made an effort to send Adam Brittle through on Mark Watson’s goal. Successfully
slotting the puck past the netminder, Brittle gave the Hawks a narrow lead
which was rapidly added to as Richard Bentham fired an unassisted shot home to
make it 2-0 just twenty six seconds later. Hit hard by these successive goals,
the Stars were unable to find a response, though they were handed an
opportunity late in the first period when two man system Steve Wardell and
Craig Davison sin binned Blackburn’s Finnish import Kim Miettinen for a cross
check. Despite this second power play, Terry Ward’s side could not find a way
past Hawks’ netminder Stuart Ashton, leaving the Stars with a two goal deficit
to overturn going in at the break.
With
play resumed for the second period, the Stars returned with a view to get on
the score sheet but any chance of this was significantly reduced when Jack
Davies was called to serve time for hooking. Unwilling to imitate the
shortcomings of their opponents, the Hawks ensured that their additional skater
was put to good use. With just one second of the power play remaining, Miettinen
was able to hit the target for the home side to make it 3-0, defenceman Max
Drakeley and player-coach MacKriel with the assists. Just over a minute later,
Aaron Davies lit the lamp to punish the Stars further, this time alternate
captain Matt Viney on hand to turn the puck towards his teammate. At the
halfway point of the period, these roles were reversed, Davies linking up with
King before a neat pass to Viney saw the centre snatch a fifth for his side.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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The
Stars failing to make a lasting impression on Ashton’s net, the Teesiders were
given some reprieve when Drakeley was directed to the sin bin for a tripping
offence. As before, Billingham could not put the puck past Ashton as the side
struggled to create opportunities in front of goal and it was Blackburn who
capitalised instead when a shorthanded attempt from Adam Brittle flew into
Stars’ goal. A slashing penalty for Miettinen was delivered in the final minutes
of the period before Hawks headed in at the interval with a six goal cushion
shielding the two points from the Stars.
Returning
for the final instalment, Billingham knew that a victory was increasingly
beyond their reach and this was further confirmed on 42:25 when Ben Simister
and Bentham offered support to Miettinen for his second goal of the game. A
little over four minutes later, Watson was again picking the puck out of his
net as James Riddoch achieved his fifth assist of the season with a tidy pass
to Viney who launched a shot over the red line to make it 8-0. With no way back
for the Stars, Blackburn continued to dominate, grabbing another before forty
eight minutes had been played, Adam Brittle working in unison with Chris Butler
to hand Berra an opportunity; the forward did not miss his mark to make it nine
and to simultaneously punish the despondent Stars further. Subsequent to this
goal, Billingham made the decision to switch Watson for young netminder Ben
Gill, his predecessor having played on with an injury sustained during the
game. This change could made little difference to the final result however, the
Hawks taking the score line into double figures to end their onslaught on
57:26, courtesy of another from Davies.
Fifty
five shots were fired at Billingham’s netminders over the course of the evening
in comparison to the twenty encountered by Ashton throughout, suggesting that
the Stars’ lack of creative gameplay contributed to their landslide defeat
ahead of their fixture against Solway Sharks at the Forum.
Victory for Whitley as Warriors grapple
with Sharks
Solway
Sharks 1
Whitley
Warriors 2
Going
into this game with a great deal of confidence after last weekend’s successes, both
teams took to the ice with a strong desire to win. Making the trip with twenty
skaters and two netminders, Whitley started with Richie Lawson between the
pipes whilst young forward Callum Queenan, who had been unavailable to ice for
the side against Telford Tigers, made his return to David Longstaff’s line up. Likewise,
Solway also began with a tough squad, though Club Captain Alan Crane missed out
once again due to an injury sustained last month and shot stopper Kieran
Hobbins took to the net in place of Andrew Jaszczyk.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Following
the first faceoff, it was clear that both teams were very much up for the
contest and were not about to lose the points without a fight. Yet, it was not
long before the deadlock was broken, a neat pass from power forward Jordan
Barnes finding David Longstaff who scored with a fantastic wrap around on 5:02. Just
over five minutes later, the Warriors found themselves shorthanded as captain
Jamie Tinsley was sin binned by two man system David Emmerson and Michael Evans
for hooking. Unable to capitalise on the power play, Solway watched as the
visitors returned to full strength, Whitley having produced some excellent
defensive work on the penalty kill. Whilst the Sharks created some good
offensive play to test Lawson, the Warriors notched five more shots on goal
than the home side. Despite this, Longstaff’s line up were unable to add to
their tally and, as the Dumfries outfit could not draw level, the score line
remained 1-0 in Whitley’s favour as the teams headed in at the break.
Going
into the second period, Martin Grubb’s Sharks returned to the ice with hopes of
equalising but the task proved to be trickier than first imagined as the
Warriors put on a sturdy defensive display. However, with much perseverance,
the Sharks finally piled enough pressure onto Lawson to slot the puck past the
netminder, Iain Bowie accomplishing his fourth goal of the season on 33:19 with
support from forward Joe Coulter and blue liner Aidan Fulton. With the
stalemate once again resuming, the opponents continued to struggle against each
other, both finding it equally difficult to break the other down. The interval
called time on play which saw the Dumfries outfit back on level terms with
their visitors.
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Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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With
nothing to separate the sides as the final period began, the points were most
definitely all to play for. Yet, with such a close contest unfolding, the
arrival of the next goal was far quicker than expected and it was ironically scored
by former Shark Adam Reynolds who was sent through on Hobbins’ net by
hardworking forward Dean Holland. The score 2-1, the Sharks battled back to try
their luck but to no avail, eventually finding themselves a man down on 54:31
when James Wallace was sent to the sin bin for a slashing offence. Warriors’
power play lasted all of twenty one seconds however, as an interference call on
Harry Harley saw the defenceman serve two minutes. With both teams back to full
strength, but unable to light the lamp in the time remaining, Grubb opted to
pull Hobbins from his net with thirty seconds left to play. The additional
skater made little impact for the home side as the Warriors continued to defend
their lead exceptionally well to take two points from the Ice Bowl ahead of
their game against the Spartans on Sunday.
Commenting
on the game, Martin Grubb told NIHL Northern Trio: “I didn’t quite think we
deserved to lose but we didn’t quite do enough to win the game. Whitley came
and made the game tough as we knew they would. Both goalies played well and I
can’t be unhappy at our work rate but we did need to be more clinical in front
of the net. We were aggrieved with the way that the winner was scored but I
asked the boys to show character and ensure we got the win on Sunday.”
Whitley take two in clash with Spartans
Whitley
Warriors 3
Sheffield
Spartans 1
Hoping
to gain as many points as possible to reduce the distance between themselves
and reigning champions Blackburn Hawks, Whitley Warriors took to the ice with
lines that had been tinkered with by player-coach David Longstaff. Unable to
ice for the home side were Alex Lawson, Phil Pritchard, Ben Richards, Stu
Tomlinson and netminder Jordan Boyle whilst Spartans’ junior Cole Shudra, forward
Tom Parkinson, up and coming star Liam Kirk and shot stopper Matthew Croyle
were amongst those unavailable to travel with the visitors.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon
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Starting
at a fast pace and switching from one line to the next at a rapid rate, the
Warriors began well, finding a goal in the first two minutes when Dean Holland
and Harry Harley created some good build up play to find Longstaff who buried
the puck in Brandon Stones’ net. Six
and a half minutes later, the puck was again slotted past netminder Stones as
the Warriors continued their application of pressure on Sheffield’s defence,
this time captain Jamie Tinsley on target for the home side with support from
Jordan Barnes. Subsequent to this goal, the visitors immediately went on the
offensive to successfully light the lamp, versatile Spartan Andrew Turner
hitting home to make it 2-1, Chris Wilcox and Elliot Knell with the assists.
The
score line now too close for comfort, Longstaff urged his men to go on the
attack. Stones finally endured one challenge too many to concede on 11:19, forward
Martin Crammond neatly setting up blue liner Joe Stamp for an unmistakeable long
range shot which did not miss its mark.
Soon
after, Longstaff took time to avenge a hard hit with one of his own and was
made to pay a two minute penalty for roughing. A strong penalty kill for the
Warriors kept the tricky visitors at bay but Whitley were soon under pressure
again, Longstaff taking a second roughing penalty which ran over the break and
into the second period.
With
Sheffield unable to capitalise, the Warriors returned to full strength
unscathed but some technically scrappy play ensued with neither side able to
break down the other’s defence. Handed a power play around the thirty minute
mark of the game, following unsportsmanlike conduct from defenceman Josh
Maddock, the Spartans failed to reduce their two goal deficit to one and the
second period concluded with the score line unchanged. However, as the teams filed
from the ice after the buzzer, a clash between Knell and experienced Warrior
Alan Yarrow broke out, resulting in penalties for both on their return.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon
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Whilst
Yarrow was handed a 2+10 misconduct, of which the minor penalty was served by
skilled junior Liam Smedley, Knell incurred two minutes for unsportsmanlike
conduct. Four on four ice hockey ensued but, just twenty nine seconds into this
punishment, the Warriors became shorthanded, inviting a bench penalty as a
result of too many men on the ice. Again, the Spartans were unable to take full
advantage of this time and, with both teams eventually restored to five men,
Martin White’s line up soon suffered further penalty trouble, forward Will
Barron receiving a minor hooking penalty. Try as they might, the home side
could not extend their lead further and it was not long before they repeated
their earlier misdemeanour, icing too many men in the fiftieth minute to be forced
onto the penalty kill. Despite this last opportunity, and numerous shots fired
at Lawson, Sheffield could not make their chances count in much the same way
that Whitley’s offensive play was cancelled out by the Spartans’ strong blue
liners.
Speaking
after the game, player-coach Longstaff told NIHL Northern Trio: “I thought we
were great on Saturday and average on Sunday. Sunday was the first game in ages
we all tried to do our own thing. I tinkered with the lines because we are
going to be missing some players in the coming weeks so I’m trying to get the
team ready for that.” Whitley Warriors next face Sutton Sting on away ice
before an all-important derby day clash with Billingham Stars on Sunday at
Hillheads. Longstaff’s line up are now five points away from the NIHL’s top
spot with a game in hand on the Hawks but, as Solihull Barons continue to prove
challenging, Whitley will have to ensure that they continue to pick up points
to avoid a slip into third position over the next few weeks.
Sharks snap up points on Teesside as
Stars fall short
Billingham
Stars 7
Solway
Sharks 4
It
was one of the most important games of the season and one which both teams
wanted to start in the best possible way so needless to say that Head Coaches
Martin Grubb and Terry Ward began the
game with strong line ups, with Michael Bowman making his return for Billingham,
though there were players missing from both team sheets. Paul Windridge, Scott
Ward, Jamie Pattison and netminder James Flavell were amongst the Stars’
absentees whilst Solway played without defencemen Craig Mitchell, Frazer Goldie
and Jamie Scott, forward Michael Corbett and the injured Alan Crane.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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With
a great deal at stake due to the current league positions occupied by either
side, both teams threw themselves into the game but it was the Stars who got
off to the better start, Jack Emmerson striking the puck low following some
effective build up play from captain Andy Munroe and player-assistant coach
Bowman who immediately involved himself in the game following his return from
injury. The opening stanza was not without its share of fieriness however, and
successive tripping offences from Star Andy Finn on 15:09 and Sharks’ captain
Struan Tonnar saw four on four ice hockey ensue. With an attempt from Solway’s
Duncan Speirs, it was clear that the visitors were creeping back into the game
and it was little surprise when the side drew level courtesy of the youngster
who was helped onto the score sheet by skilful Shark Iain Bowie.
Just
over two minutes later, Solway were able to take the lead when the puck fell to
blue liner Stuart Andrews from a successful faceoff, Slovakian import Martin
Cingel and forward Marc Fowley with the assists. Just when Billingham felt
their luck could not get any worse, the Teesiders conceded another fifty five
seconds later, Tonnar setting up Cingel in the last minute of the game.
Losing
their early lead late in the first period, the Stars returned to the ice with
hopes of an overhaul and it began to look possible for the home side when, almost three minutes into the middle section,
goal scorer Emerson turned assist for Jack Davies who hit the puck past Hobbins
to make it 3-2.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Soon
after, Sharks’ Ross Murray was ordered to warm a seat in the sin bin by referee
Steve Brown for a charging offence and, in the moments that followed, Jack
Davies suffered an alleged slash across the back from Solway’s latest signing
James Wallace which saw the Billingham forward head to hospital. With the Stars
on the power play due to Murray’s previous offence, Ward’s side were sure to
capitalise, Chris Sykes and Dennis Boström on hand to see Thomas Keeley light
the lamp.
Three
apiece, Billingham’s Luke Brown incurred a ten minute misconduct penalty having
made his feelings clear to Wallace but, shortly afterwards, Bowie was able to
tear the Stars’ defence apart to allow the Dumfries outfit to go ahead once
again. Player-assistant coach Richie Thornton joined Brown in the sin bin after
a call for a cross check went against him but, seconds later, Joe Coulter was
made to serve time for interference which meant the sides were now even handed.
One last penalty in the period saw Finn side lined for delaying the game and,
as neither team could find the net, it was the Sharks who went in at the break
with the upper hand.
Going
into the final instalment with a single goal between them, both teams were
aware that Solway’s 4-3 lead was a fragile one. It was perhaps this sentiment
which prompted Solway to act in the early stages of the period, some clever
play from Steven Moore allowing Cingel to hit home a superb effort on 41:18.
Just over a minute later, Solway’s 5-3 lead was further added to, this time
Bowie and Speirs linking up to send Coulter past the Stars’ defence to find the
back of the net.
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Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Slashing
penalties for either side saw Brown and Tonnar sent to the box for two minutes but,
it was only when both sides had returned to full strength that the Stars
struck, Michael Elder slipping a pass to Thornton who went on to achieve his
second goal of the season. With the score line 6-3, the Stars needed to embark
on an almighty comeback if they were to take anything from the game but a minor
slashing penalty from Cingel was not enough to deter the visitors. Remaining
calm on the penalty kill, the Sharks were restored to five men only to hit the
target again in the last two minutes of the game, Murray on hand to make the
most of creative play from Moore and Slovakian defenceman Juraj Senko to bury
the Teesiders hopes.
Star
Chris Sykes took time to reflect on Billingham’s clash with Solway, saying: “This
weekend didn’t go our way at all; nothing went how we wanted it to. We went to
Blackburn with two lines and lots of guys carrying knocks. Watto [Mark Watson]
was playing in goal and then he hurt his ankle and that put his mind on other
things. We just couldn’t handle it with the amount of guys and knocks we took.
But we brushed it under the cobbles as they say and, on Sunday, we knew we were
ready for a battle. And it was just that. Unfortunately, again, it didn’t go
our way which is gutting and the way Solway acted about a certain situation
made it even worse of a feeling. I don’t mind losing, everyone goes through it
but the cheap shots they took were out of hand. That’s not what hockey is
about. We had a bad weekend. But anyway, back to training this week and
hopefully we have a big weekend ahead of us again. Every game from here on in
for us is massive!”
Also
happy to share his views subsequent to his team’s victory, Martin Grubb reported:
“It was a mixed weekend results wise for us and we were disappointed not to get
something out of the Warriors game. Tonight, I thought we started a little slow
after putting so much into last night’s game but then we started to do the little
things well and finish our chances to allow us to play with a lead. We took a
few silly penalties to allow Billingham back into the game but showed our
character to edge back in front and lead after two. I asked the players to
ensure we did whatever we needed to do to win the game in the third and we came
out flying. Early goals gave us a comfortable margin and the insurance marker
at the end sealed the win. Overall I am happy we bounced back and gained two huge
points in the playoff battle but we need to take each game as it comes and keep
winning. I would like to wish Jack Davies a speedy recovery after being taking
to hospital tonight and all at Solway Sharks wish him well.”
Both
teams are in action again next weekend with Solway Sharks set to take on Sheffield
Senators on Saturday whilst Billingham Stars will play Sheffield Spartans on the
same day followed by a much-anticipated Tyne-Tees derby at Hillheads.
