NIHL Weekend Action

Steadfast Sharks hit seven to secure playoff spot 

Solway Sharks 7

Telford Tigers  1

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With double points available to the victor of this clash, this game was one which Solway Sharks could not afford to lose and, whilst it was expected that their opposition would be more than a match for the Dumfries outfit, Telford Tigers travelled with a short bench of eleven skaters to make life difficult for themselves from the outset. The Sharks’ game plan was clear from the very beginning and their determination to get on the score sheet rapidly paid off as Slovakian import Juraj Senko sparked an early lead for his side with an unassisted effort on 1:04. As the Tigers attempted to battle back, two man system Steven Wardell and David Emmerson called Sharks’ captain Struan Tonnar to the sin bin for boarding to hand Telford a power play. Unable to find the target with the advantage of the five-on-four situation, Telford watched Solway return to full strength to subsequently inflict several shots on netminder Denis Bell.

It was only fifteen minutes after their first goal though, that the Sharks could double their lead, this time Tonnar going clear of Jason Parry’s defence to hit home Solway’s second unassisted goal of the evening. Just twenty three seconds later, the puck was again in the back of Bell’s net when Senko teamed up with winger Steven Moore to assist on-ice leader Ross Murray in his quest to light the lamp. Shortly afterwards, a cross check from youngster Duncan Speirs saw Solway again reduced to four men and this time the Tigers were sure to capitalise as Callum Griffin drove the puck over the red line to make it 3-1 before the break, with assists from Joseph Aston and captain Daniel Croft.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Building on their lead in the middle section of the game, the Sharks continued to apply pressure in an attempt to break down the Tigers’ defence. Shot stopper Bell saw off these early offensive efforts from Solway but Joe Coulter’s pass to Speirs soon saw the forward through on goal and it proved to be one shot too many for Telford as the Sharks’ three-goal cushion was restored. Just over two minutes later, matters were made worse for the visitors when forward Iain Bowie achieved his ninth goal of the season following some neat link up play between blue liner Aidan Fulton and previous goal scorer Speirs. Subsequent to this goal, Telford’s Berwyn Hughes found himself on the wrong end of a cross checking penalty which saw the defenceman side-lined. Unable to extend their lead further on the power play, Solway were handed a second opportunity when Corey Goodison made way to serve two minutes for boarding but, again, the Tigers were successful on the penalty kill which came to an end just five seconds before the break.

With such a lead developing between themselves and their visitors, Solway started the third period with intensity to ensure that they held onto the four points. A penalty conceded by Hobbins for delaying the game proved to be only a minor setback for the Sharks and, just forty three seconds after Telford’s power play was over, Senko was on hand place the puck for Tonnar to grab his second of the game.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The Tigers attempted to battle back, with several shots on Hobbins’ goal to even up the offensive efforts in this period, but Solway’s pressure persisted to be damaging and it was little surprise when Tonnar reached his hat trick on 54:39 to give Solway a 7-1 lead. A timeout from the Tigers rapidly followed and the visitors were soon awarded the perfect opportunity to notch a second goal when Fulton took two minutes for hooking, however the side were unable to reduce their deficit before the final buzzer sounded.

Delighted with the 7-1 victory to secure their playoff position, Head Coach Martin Grubb spoke with NIHL Northern Trio after the game: “We knew this would be a tough game as Telford still had a chance to make the playoffs and, even though they were short benched, we had a job to do. I asked for a good start and an early goal settled us and allowed us to start to play with confidence. We moved the puck really well and scored some nice goals. Credit to Telford for battling all night and, at 3-1, we needed to step it up and credit to the boys. When you think we were in eighth position in mid-January, this is a huge achievement and I am proud of the boys for doing what we needed to make the top four.”

NIHL Northern Trio would like to take this opportunity to congratulate NIHL North Division One Moralee Conference playoff finalists Blackburn Hawks, Whitley Warriors, Solihull Barons and Solway Sharks on their qualification for the tournament.

Hardworking Hawks sink Sharks to take

NIHL North crown

Blackburn Hawks   7

Solway Sharks        0

To take six points from two games was always going to be a big ask for Solway Sharks as the Dumfries outfit headed to Blackburn Ice Arena for their rescheduled fixture against Daniel MacKriel’s Hawks; the home side setting their sights on the league title and a draw enough to retain their crown.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With two strong squads lining up, this was a game of great consequence to both teams, as third place was also still available to the Sharks, but it was Blackburn who were quickest off the mark, scoring on 1:24 through forward Ben Simister, following some skilled play from player-coach MacKriel and Hawks’ top goal scorer Richard Bentham. Soon after, two man system Steve Brown and Haydn Hunter made their first call of the game as Blackburn’s Jordan Bannon was side-lined for tripping. Despite Sharks’ attempts to build up some offensive play, netminder Daniel Brittle absorbed the pressure to see off the visitors’ shots before the Lancashire outfit extended their lead with eight minutes played when Matt Viney’s unassisted effort was slotted past Solway’s Kieran Hobbins. With Blackburn seeing the better share of the puck and making the most of their chances in front of goal, the Sharks went in at the break two goals down and with very little control of the game.

Recognising the need for change, Solway returned to the ice with a view to get back in the game and were handed a power play two minutes into the middle section as blue liner Ollie Lomax warmed a seat in the sin bin. Increasing the amount of pressure on Blackburn’s defence, the Sharks came close to scoring but were unable to find the back of the net before the home side were restored to five men. Seconds later, the Hawks were again one man short of a full line as Lomax returned only to be shown off the ice, holding his offence on this occasion. Failing to capitalise, the Sharks followed suit, Ross Murray serving a minor for holding also. Another power play opportunity fell Solway’s way shortly afterwards however when Bentham was punished for slashing on 32:05. Grubb’s men continued to up their game but found it increasingly difficult to light the lamp, despite attempts to create scoring chances and gain possession of the puck. As a result, Solway were punished by the Hawks in the last minute of the period, the outstanding Adam Brittle involving Bannon in play to set up Lomax.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon

The score line 3-0 going into the final instalment of the game, the Sharks had much work to do but were shocked when Bannon took control of the puck and hit it past their defence just eight seconds into the period. As Blackburn swiftly took control of the game, the puck was again fired beyond Hobbins, this time David Meikle threading a pass to Aaron Davies who found himself on target with forty four minutes played. Forty eight seconds later, Meikle was on the wrong end of a charging penalty whilst Solway’s young prospect Duncan Speirs was also made to sit out for interference. It was at this time that Grubb saw fit to make a change between the pipes, opting for young shot stopper Kyle Johnston to take the place of Hobbins.

It was only when both teams were restored to five men that the Hawks were able to find their sixth goal of the game, Chris Butler striking the twine with assists from Brittle and Bannon once again. Fifteen seconds later, Stevie Adams earned himself five minutes plus game for a check from behind, presenting Blackburn with a five minute power play. Needless to say, the home side took full advantage of the situation as Lomax again involved himself in the action, picking up the puck from Viney to allow James Riddoch to go clear of Solway’s defence and punish Johnston for a second time in the space of eight minutes.

With the Sharks unable to slip the puck past shot stopper Brittle, Blackburn held onto their lead for the remainder of the game. However, the netminder chose to involve himself in the action, picking a fight with forward Marc Fowley in the last second of the game to receive 2+2 for fighting whilst a penalty of 2+2 was also handed out to the Sharks’ player for roughing. As the final buzzer sounded on Blackburn’s 7-0 victory over Solway, the Hawks were confirmed NIHL North Division One champions to make this their second consecutive season of title success.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking the time to reflect on this game, Head Coach Martin Grubb observed: “After achieving our playoff goal on Saturday, we knew we were coming in to face a Hawks team determined to win the league at home and we needed to compete. We started very poorly and conceded two sloppy goals and gave Blackburn the opportunity to relax and play. In the second period, I thought we dominated the scoring chances but we were very wasteful and missed the net way too many times, and that will never give you a chance to win, and then gifted Blackburn a third goal with sixteen seconds to go in that period. Our third period was quite honestly embarrassing and not what is expected of our team and we need to ensure we are better between now and our playoff semi-final. We know we will meet the Hawks again so we will now forget this game and learn from it to prepare.  I congratulate Daniel MacKriel and his team on winning the league and look forward to locking horns in Sheffield.”

NIHL Northern Trio would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate player-coach Daniel MacKriel and league leaders Blackburn Hawks on their fantastic achievement this season.  

Stars strike on derby day to snatch bragging rights from Warriors

Billingham Stars 4

Whitley Warriors 1

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Though travelling with a short bench for their fourth and final derby game of their 2015-16 campaign, Whitley Warriors were greeted by the sight of many of their own fans in the crowd at The Forum on Sunday who had made the trip with the hope that the Hillheads outfit might take two more points from their close league rivals, Billingham Stars. The Teesiders boasting a strong squad of nineteen skaters and two netminders, it was the home side who made the better start, defenceman Andy Finn and forward James Moss applying early pressure before passing the puck to Swedish import Dennis Boström who opened the scoring for the Stars. In the minutes that followed, the Warriors struggled to create successful offensive opportunities in front of goal, with Shaun Kippin’s shot prevented by the post and Billingham’s superb netminder James Flavell calmly dealing with each attempt to make life difficult for the visitors.

Playing in a defensive role, Warrior Jordan Barnes conceded a roughing penalty to see the Stars go on a power play but Whitley were unscathed by this advantage and returned to full strength only for Billingham’s Will Robson to receive two minutes for holding. Trying to find a way past Flavell, Whitley’s power play was soon over and it wasn’t long before they found themselves reduced to four men again, this time captain Jamie Tinsley heading to the box for a tripping offence. The game lacking its usual intensity, the Warriors killed the penalty and returned to full strength with less than two minutes left to play in the period. Failing to equalise ahead of the interval, Whitley went in at the break with a one goal margin presenting some distance between themselves and Terry Ward’s Stars; the Teesiders heading in the happier of the two teams having seen the better share of possession.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning for the middle section, Billingham continued to build on the foundations of a strong first period as the Warriors struggled to make their mark on the game. Trying their utmost to double their lead, the Stars succeeded seven minutes in when forward Chris Sykes and player-assistant coach Michael Bowman worked together to set up Boström whose quick response beat netminder Richie Lawson with ease. With a two goal deficit to overturn, the Warriors attempted to get back on track but failed to do so before conceding for a third time in the game; Finn getting on the end of a pass from Bowman to light the lamp for his team.

The Stars flying high before the interval, the Warriors needed to regroup and, exchanging Lawson for young netminder Mark Turnbull, Whitley returned to the ice with the aim of getting on the scoresheet. A hooking penalty for DJ Good placed the visitors at a disadvantage with almost forty seven minutes of the game played but, again, the Warriors ran down the clock effectively to hinder their rival’s offensive play.

Approximately three minutes later, Whitley were pressing in the Stars’ defensive zone before Barnes took control of the loose puck and, considering his shot carefully, let loose to demolish Flavell’s shut out and give some hope to the Warriors’ fans watching on. Just over two minutes later though, a misplaced pass from Barnes around the back of Turnbull’s net saw the puck immediately picked up by Boström who found Moss to make it 4-1. His frustration visible, Barnes then responded to a hit from Billy Nicholson with a slash which left referee Tom Pering with no choice but to dish out a penalty of five minutes plus game with a ten minute misconduct penalty added to that for a fiery response to Billingham’s bench.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With five minutes left, Moss received a minor for slashing but the game was well and truly beyond the visitors by this point of the period, with any hopes of a turnaround utterly dashed. Commenting on the Warriors’ 4-1 derby day defeat to the Stars, player-coach David Longstaff told NIHL Northern Trio: “I was quite pleased. We tried some different line combinations and played some players in situations they’re not used to so it wasn’t the end of the world that we lost.”

Meanwhile, Star Chris Sykes shared his thoughts on Billingham’s victory: “Before the game we knew that Solway had clinched that fourth spot and I can’t say it doesn’t hurt because it does. It sucks to miss out on the playoffs so bad. We’ve had a rocky year but it’s not the end of the season yet and we wanted the bragging rights to stay on Teesside which we managed to do. We turned up, we played hard and we got the win. Two more points, just to add to our league total, and building on the five game winning streak in the league. It was a tough game and was always going to be as it’s the derby. I love the feeling around on derby day; it’s such a buzz. Nice to win the game 4-1. We made little mistakes and we made Whitley work and had a lot of the play. Maybe they were looking forward to the playoffs and weren’t as bothered as we were but we took advantage and me and the boys were happy to take the derby back to Billingham.”

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