NIHL Weekend Action

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

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.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

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. 

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