NIHL Weekend Action

Sharks snap up five points as Solway edge win over Warriors

Solway Sharks     6

Whitley Warriors   3

Heading into this fixture aware of the challenges which were facing them, both Solway Sharks and Whitley Warriors were ready for a battle as the two outfits went head-to-head in another combined league and cup fixture. Having defeated the Warriors 9-2 on the road in September, the Sharks were aware that they would face a very different side to that which iced against them over a month ago whilst Whitley took to the ice with the knowledge that they must maintain the intensity of recent games to compensate for their lack of senior defencemen.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Though both teams began the first period with pace and power, the Sharks instantly sought a way past netminder Richie Lawson and were handed an opportunity on 5:44 when Warrior Shaun Kippin made way to serve two minutes for high sticks. This presented the home side with the perfect power play as Finnish import Kim Miettinen applied enough pressure to Whitley’s defence to grab the opening goal of the game. In an attempt to go level, the Warriors began to increase their possession of the puck as young defencemen Craig Johnson and Liam Smedley worked hard at one end of the ice while forward Callum Watson, player-coach David Longstaff and enforcer Andre Payette laboured to break down Solway’s strong defence. Almost thirteen minutes were played however, before the puck found its way into the net for a second time; Solway doubling their lead with just over twelve minutes played when captain Struan Tonnar received the puck from netminder Kieran Hobbins to send left winger Steven Moore through on goal. The score line 2-0, David Longstaff’s men set out to test Hobbins and were able to halve their deficit on 16:06 when the side began to work the puck in the Sharks’ defensive zone; Watson hitting home following linkup play between Longstaff and Johnson. Feeling that the Warriors were beginning to creep into the game, the Dumfries outfit ensured that they were to have the final say before the break as Miettinen and young prospect Duncan Speirs played the puck forward to dynamic two-way player Jordan Buesa who slotted home with just eight seconds of the period remaining.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Whilst Solway’s two-goal cushion appeared a comfortable one, the Warriors returned to the ice with even more intensity than that of the first. As the Sharks perpetually battled against Whitley’s defence, Longstaff’s line-up equally created several offensive opportunities of their own and soon found themselves on a power play as Solway’s Connor Henderson headed to the sin bin for slashing. It was with over one minute of the advantage played that the Warriors finally lit the lamp, DJ Good the man on target with an unassisted effort to make it 3-2. Shortly after this goal, captain Dean Holland was shown to the sin bin for a slashing offence on 30:02. Forty seconds later, the Warrior found himself joined by Good to give the Sharks a five-on-three power play. Working hard on the penalty kill, both Longstaff and Payette showed their experience to run down the clock, the latter wrestling Tonnar to clear the puck. It was with Whitley’s organisation of their defence that Solway were unable to find a power play goal in this instance. Empowered by this achievement, the Warriors then punished Hobbins for a third time in the game less than two minutes after returning to full strength as Smedley played the puck to blue liner Harry Harley who did not miss his mark. Continuing at a fast pace, both teams had their fair share of chances, posing a threat in front of goal at every opportunity. Despite these efforts however, neither team could manage to score again before the end of the second period to go in at the break with three goals each.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

After an initially flat start to the third period, both teams recognised the need for a change of tack and it was with this understanding that alternate captain Ross Murray and power forward Jordan Barnes went toe-to-toe in a balanced fight which allowed both players to demonstrate their ability in battle. Consequently, both players received 2+2 for fighting on 43:08 in their efforts to spur their team on but the Sharks appeared to benefit from this encounter more so as the side reclaimed their lead soon after Murray and Barnes made their return to the ice; former EPL defenceman James Hutchinson playing the puck to youngster Daniel Abercrombie who weaved his way through Whitley’s defence to capitalise. Whilst the Warriors held onto the hope that they could again find a way to draw level, the Sharks proved to have other ideas and were happy to establish a two-goal cushion with almost fifty two minutes played as ‘D’ man Stuart Andrews teamed up with strong leader Murray to allow Marc Fowley to achieve his second league goal of the season. Just fifteen seconds later though, Murray found himself sinbinned once more for a hook against Payette, the two having clashed on occasions throughout the game. As a result, the Warriors found themselves on the advantage but, unable to capitalise, the side watched as Martin Grubb’s men were restored to full strength only to add a sixth to their tally soon after, this time Speirs on target with support arriving from Joe Coulter. With little time remaining in the game, Barnes and Murray decided to drop the gloves for a second time and, again, an even fight ensued with both incurring 2+2 for fighting once more. These penalties running until the final buzzer, neither side could enhance the 6-3 score line in the final minutes of the game, allowing Solway to claim five points, a league victory and a regulation cup win whilst Miettinen and Lawson picked up Man of the Match awards at the end of the evening.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking after the game, Head Coach Martin Grubb shared his thoughts: “Tonight was a tough game against a Warriors team who came with a game plan and made it difficult for us. I felt we played well for the first twenty five minutes but then got bullied a little and we allowed Whitley back in the game with some slack play. We had a chat before the third and the boys knew what they had to do. I thought we dominated as Whitley tired and we deserved to win against a hardworking and in-form team.” Meanwhile, player-coach David Longstaff noted: “It was always going to be tough on Saturday, missing so many defencemen, but we battled and we just came up short against the strongest team in the league.”  

Stars struck by Blackburn as Hawks swoop on cup points

Blackburn Hawks    7 

Billingham Stars     4

With both Blackburn Hawks and Billingham Stars heading into this game on the back of poor form in the NIHL North Cup competition, this fixture was always going to be an unpredictable one with both teams capable of claiming the points. Travelling to Lancashire with fourteen skaters, Billingham were prepared to put Steven Duncombe’s Hawks to the test as the home side iced under the guidance of their new player-coach for the first time this season.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice for faceoff, the Hawks placed their faith in first choice netminder Stuart Ashton whilst Billingham opted for backup shot stopper Mark Watson once again in the competition. With both sides chasing victory from the early stages of the game, the home side were able to open the scoring on 3:49 as junior James Royds scored his first goal in a Hawks’ jersey, following assists from Bobby Caunce and alternate captain Rick Bentham, to make the game a memorable one for the youngster. Requiring a quick response, the Stars began to apply some pressure to Blackburn’s defence through player-coach Michael Bowman and Jack Watkins, both of whom came close to equalising for Billingham before the halfway point in the period. Just over two minutes later though, the Stars reaped the rewards of their offensive efforts as Swedish import Dennis Boström attempted to find the back of the net but, collecting the rebounded puck, played in Watkins who also fell short of the mark, allowing Chris Sykes to hit home immediately after. The score line 1-1, Blackburn sought a way to reclaim their lead through forward Mikko Sierman just minutes later but, with neither side hitting the target, both teams headed in at the break with a goal apiece.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning for the second period, Duncombe’s men stepped up their efforts to double their lead and did so just over two minutes in when Sierman linked up with Carl Price to integrate hardworking forward Aaron Davies into play. With his back to Watson, Davies slotted the puck beneath the netminder on the spin to make it 2-1. Shortly afterwards, Watson found himself retrieving the puck from his net for a third time as Davies grabbed his second of the game; Sierman assisting alongside defenceman Nick Oliver on this occasion. With a two-goal cushion now separating the outfits, the Stars were aware that they needed to get back into the game but a second goal eluded the Teessiders despite the best efforts of player-coach Richie Thornton whose shot pinged off the post. It was shortly after this missed attempt that the Hawks found their fourth goal of the evening as Davies turned assist alongside Sierman to allow tricky forward Philip Mulcahy to achieve his first NIHL North Cup goal of the season. Thirty two seconds later, a clash between Star Jack Davies and Hawks’ captain Ollie Lomax saw both players receive two minutes for roughing whilst alternate captain Chris Butler was also side-lined by referee Roy Hamilton for his involvement. Without any further scoring in the game, the trio made their return to the ice and, from there, Blackburn were able to continue their success in front of goal as Mulcahy tapped in a second assisted by Sierman and Davies once more. With the game fast slipping away from the Stars, this goal prompted Head Coach Terry Ward to call a timeout, yet the remaining minutes saw Billingham’s best chance created when Swedish import Daniel Palmebjörk worked hard to set up Michael Elder whose shot was collected by Ashton. Consequently, Billingham headed in at the interval on the wrong end of the 5-1 score line.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Hoping to change the game in the final period, with the prospect of overtime should they draw level, Ward’s men were determined to fight their way back into the encounter and, after a rapid start, found themselves on a power play as Price made way for delaying the game. Whilst the visitors were unable to contend with Blackburn’s penalty kill, the Stars punished Ashton soon after as Watkins slid a pass to Boström who placed the puck beyond the netminder. Eight seconds later, Tom Parkinson was shown to the sin bin for holding but, again, Billingham could not make the most of the additional man. Blackburn’s lack of discipline would continue however, and just five seconds passed by before Bentham was sinbinned for delaying the game. Rewarded with a power play, the Stars were not about to squander yet another opportunity and, having watched Butler receive a ten minute misconduct penalty on 48:08, Boström fired into the net courtesy of Bowman and Elder just thirty three seconds later. Opting for a timeout of their own, Duncombe rallied his Hawks but it was clear that Billingham were empowered by the hint of a comeback and laboured to find a fourth goal which arrived following several attempts against them; Boström claiming his hat trick with a little over fifty six minutes played. Just one goal away from overtime, the Stars understandably threw everything into the final minutes of the game, pulling Watson from his net with over sixty seconds remaining. However, this move was to prove costly as Blackburn swiftly gained possession through Rick Bentham whose unassisted effort made it 6-4. Sticking with this tactic, Billingham chose to leave their net empty and instead set their sights firmly on Ashton’s goal but again this decision did not pay off and, in the space of twenty seven seconds, the Hawks had accomplished their second empty net goal of the game to claim three cup points against the deflated Stars in the process.

Winning Warriors roast Hawks at Hillheads to climb into playoff position

Whitley Warriors   8

Blackburn Hawks 2

Having defeated Blackburn Hawks twice in the space of a week prior to this fixture, Whitley Warriors were aware that they would be in for slightly different game to that of their 6-0 home victory over the Lancashire outfit last Sunday, following the Hawks’ decision to install alternate captain Steven Duncombe as player-coach. Whilst Blackburn were without youngster Kyle Haslam and Jacob Corson-Heron, the Warriors equally found themselves with few absentees as forwards Alan Yarrow and Ben Richards missed out once more alongside impressive youngsters Ross Douglass and Anthony Wetherell.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

Viewing this game as an opportunity to avenge last weekend’s defeat to the Hillheads outfit, Blackburn immediately set their sights on goal, following some fast paced build up play from the home side, and subsequently opened the scoring as Nick Oliver’s long range shot made it past Richie Lawson on 1:34. Disappointed to concede so early in the game, having set out to test netminder Stuart Ashton from the start, David Longstaff’s line-up were eager to get back on level terms and, after a great deal of hard work and several near misses, the side finally equalised through DJ Good with forward Callum Watson and captain Dean Holland on hand to assist. As the Warriors continued their offensive with much organisation from enforcer Andre Payette, the Hawks also tried their luck against Whitley’s defence with forwards Rick Bentham and Philip Mulcahy working hard, but to no avail. As Holland picked up two minutes for tripping to place the visitors on a power play, the Warriors remained calm and collected on the penalty kill, repeatedly clearing the puck from their defensive zone. In consequence, the Hawks could not find a way through and watched as Whitley returned to full strength, only for captain Ollie Lomax to pick up two minutes for slashing twenty seven seconds later. Equally, the Warriors could not break down Blackburn’s defence effectively enough on the power play and saw their own advantage frittered away. Meanwhile, as Payette persistently toiled across all areas of the ice, a conversation between the enforcer and goal threat Bentham saw tough guy Reece Cairney-Witter take on his adversary once again, though the Warrior managed to get the better of his opponent, throwing a series of punches which went unreturned by the Hawk. Both players receiving 2+2 for fighting as a consequence, only fourteen seconds of this penalty had ticked by before the Hawks found the target to take the lead once more; Oliver claiming his second of the evening. Blackburn’s celebrations proved to be short-lived however as, less than a minute later, the Warriors retaliated with another equaliser as Good lit the lamp before the break with support from Holland. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Heading into the middle stanza with no gap separating the two sides, the Warriors were handed a power play early in the period when Lomax made way following a trip in Whitley’s offensive zone. Placed on the power play, Longstaff’s men were again unable to make the most of the opportunity but, working hard for possession after this advantage to come close to scoring, the Hillheads outfit were again with the additional man as Duncombe made way for roughing following a clash with Payette. It was just fourteen seconds into this penalty that the Warriors were able to take the lead for the first time in the game, blue liner Harry Harley playing the puck to Holland who zipped a shot past Ashton; Longstaff with the second assist. Immediately after this goal, ‘D’ man Oliver made his feelings clear to the referee which resulted in a ten minute penalty for abusing an official but, unwilling to take this punishment lightly, the goal scoring defenceman was ejected from the game. As Whitley’s sustained pressure on Blackburn’s blue line became increasingly challenging for the visitors, the Warriors added to their tally on 30:11 as the puck fell to defenceman Dan Pye who rocketed a shot beyond Ashton following hard work from Jordan Barnes and Martin Crammond in front of goal. Just over three minutes later, Duncombe found himself sinbinned for a crosscheck which handed the home side another power play. Despite this, the Warriors could not capitalise before the interval to go in with a 4-2 lead.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

Icing in the final instalment of the game, the Hawks faced off with hopes that they could get back on a level footing but Whitley’s aim was only to punish Blackburn further as Longstaff raced down the wing, having received the puck from Harley, to find Watson who was positioned perfectly in front of Ashton’s goal to achieve his fifth league goal of the season. Just over four minutes later, matters were made worse for the visitors as Harley’s pass was collected by Barnes, the forward hitting home to make it 6-2 with 46:37 played. Though this goal prompted a timeout from the Hawks, not to mention a change of netminder, the Warriors were able to snatch a seventh when Holland collected his second of the game with support from Payette and Good. Almost one minute later, forward Shaun Kippin was sinbinned for a crosscheck but, with the Hawks now trailing by five goals, success on the power play proved a challenge and Whitley soon returned to full strength. Making his return to the ice, Kippin found himself back in the box minutes later for a hooking offence which saw the home side go shorthanded yet again. Longstaff’s men battled through the penalty kill to return to full strength unscathed. However, the Hawks were quick to regret their failure to capitalise as Warrior Lawson Glasby achieved another moment of excellence with an unassisted effort on 56:07 to claim his second goal for the Hillheads outfit. With time fast running out, Glasby then found himself sinbinned to reduce the Warriors to four men. Though shorthanded until the final buzzer, Whitley were able to seal their 8-2 victory which now sees Blackburn drop into sixth place whereas Longstaff’s line-up move into fourth; their highest league position this season. Looking back on the game, player-coach David Longstaff told NIHL Northern Trio: “Sunday just shows how good we can be when we play with nearly a full squad. Hopefully, we can do that more often than not. ”

Sharks outshine Stars to claim cup glory

Billingham Stars   3

Solway Sharks     4

Whilst Billingham Stars went into this game on the back of an away defeat to Blackburn Hawks, Solway Sharks were still buoyed by the momentum of their home victory over Whitley Warriors and headed into the contest searching for no less than maximum points.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Determined to hunt down their first goal of the game, Solway put the Stars to the test from the first faceoff, scoring with just fifty two seconds on the clock when young forward Duncan Speirs threaded a pass to Connor Henderson who was quick to punish netminder James Flavell. Immediately falling behind to their opposition, the Stars sought an equaliser but the side’s progress was hindered on 4:11 when Jack Davies found himself in the sin bin for high sticks. The visitors failed to make the most of their power play which they would soon regret as Billingham returned to five men, only to score a little over two minutes later as forward Chris Sykes lit the lamp courtesy of Swedish import Dennis Boström. With shots on goal arriving thick and fast, both netminders were required to be at their best but it was not long before the advantage was with the Sharks once again as Boström was side-lined for unsportsmanlike behaviour on 18:34 whilst Michael Elder also received a minor for roughing. With a five-on-three situation ensuing in the Sharks’ favour, it took only forty three seconds for Solway to reclaim their lead as left winger Steven Moore and captain Struan Tonnar teamed up to see Finnish import Kim Miettinen print his name on the scoresheet ahead of the interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

As Boström’s penalty continued for thirty four seconds of the middle stanza, Billingham were forced to work hard to kill the remaining penalty but did so successfully. However, Terry Ward’s men were once again at a disadvantage as Scott Ward served two minutes for roughing soon after to hand the Sharks yet another power play. This lack of discipline would continue as referee David Farren called Star Jack Davies to the sin bin on 27:49 for a crosscheck which again gave Solway the additional man. Having failed to capitalise previously, the Sharks were not about to let another opportunity slip by as Tonnar made it 3-1 with eleven seconds of the advantage remaining. Less than a minute later, events took a turn for the worst as young forward Scott Henderson made a hit against Davies which saw the Shark ejected from the game and the Star taken to hospital after his subsequent collision with the boards. In dealing with Henderson in the aftermath of this hit, Boström was handed a minor roughing penalty. Davies was not to be the only casualty in this period however, as Marc Fowley won a faceoff, only to have the puck inadvertently shot into his face by team mate Miettinen who was attempting to clear his zone at the time. Neither side were able to add to the score line before the second period was over, though it was clear that the Sharks outshot their hosts in this section of the game, peppering Flavell with sixteen shots to the six made by Billingham.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Going into the final period with the points still to play for, it was the Stars’ turn to grab an early goal as Matthew Campbell placed his unassisted effort beyond netminder Kieran Hobbins with one minute, twenty seconds of the final period played. With barely time to recover themselves, Solway looked on as Boström secured an equaliser for his side, following hard work from Sykes and player-coach Richie Thornton. Eventually gaining possession after a return to centre ice, the Sharks began to construct some creative chances before claiming a goal to separate themselves from their opposition as alternate captain Ross Murray and skilful forward Joe Coulter teamed up to see Speirs find the target to make it 4-3. With the result of the game still very much in the balance, a tripping penalty conceded by Moore on 50:00 saw the Stars go on the power play but this advantage was enhanced further as Murray then committed the same offence to join his team mate less than two minutes later. Effective on the penalty kill, Solway ensured that the Teessiders could not draw level for a third time in the game and, as the Sharks maintained the defence of their lead in the remaining minutes of the period, the Dumfries outfit were triumphant as they held onto their narrow victory, claiming a regulation cup win and retaining pole position in the NIHL North cup standings.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Following this cup clash, Star Chris Sykes told NIHL Northern Trio: “This was a tough weekend for the Stars in the cup, just coming up short in both games. Cancelling out the two empty net goals against Blackburn, it was a 5-4 game and, again, on Sunday it was a one-goal game after we came back into it, we just let it slip. We had four defencemen on Saturday on the big ice which was tough and then, on Sunday, we had five defencemen until the unfortunate incident that happened to Jack [Davies] and he was taken off.  Then we ended the game with four ‘D’ men again so we are running really short due to injuries at the back but we battled hard and we just came up short in both games, like I said. It was in the cup so we aren’t too disheartened by it. We did play the youngsters because it was the cup so now we are moving forward this week in training and getting ready for a double weekend away, but in the league!”

Also reflecting on this encounter, Sharks’ Head Coach Martin Grubb added: “I was pleased with how we started the game quickly, tried to play on the front foot, move the puck quickly and felt we were in control after forty minutes. Again, the disappointing part was we switched off at the start of period three and allowed Billingham back into the game and that is something we need to stop. We showed huge character with a short bench to get ourselves in front and then limit Billingham’s opportunities as we closed the game out. We are delighted with the eight point weekend, although we have a few casualties with Mark Fowley picking up a bad injury and we wish him a speedy recovery, and also to Jack Davies.”

NIHL Northern Trio would like to wish both Jack Davies and Marc Fowley a quick recovery, following injuries sustained by both players on Sunday evening. 

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