NIHL Weekend Action

Tigers tamed as Stars shoot nine past Telford

Telford Tigers      4

Billingham Stars  9

Making the lengthy trip to Shropshire on Saturday, Billingham Stars were aware that they would face a challenge against Daniel MacKriel’s tricky Telford Tigers who have been unpredictable of late, though their league position suggests otherwise. Icing a full strength squad with great offensive ability for this home clash, the Tigers went into this game hoping to once again show their skill in front of goal whilst Billingham travelled with just fifteen skaters, of which five were defencemen, following a spate of recent injury woes.  

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to centre ice for faceoff, it was clear from the initial stages of the first period that both sides were eager to snatch the points so it was of little surprise when the home side opened the scoring on 3:34 when alternate captain Adam Brittle placed the puck beyond netminder James Flavell to present his team with an early lead; an assist arriving from brother Luke. Quick to retaliate, Billingham Stars then lit the lamp just over a minute later as Swedish import Dennis Boström equalised with the help of experienced player-coaches Michael Bowman and Richie Thornton. Shortly after this goal, Telford found themselves hindered further as defenceman Daniel Harrison headed to the sin bin for hooking to give the visitors a power play. Despite Billingham’s inability to capitalise, Harrison returned to the ice only to incur further punishment for clipping. However, Billingham’s success on the delayed penalty meant the alternate captain did not serve a second minor as Chris Sykes achieved his sixth league goal of the season whilst Callum Davies and Michael Elder picked up assists. Nine seconds later, the Tigers found themselves in a similar situation as forward Matthew Price was considered guilty of tripping but, yet again, the Teessiders retained possession to benefit from the delayed penalty, this time import Daniel Palmebjörk with an unassisted effort to make it 3-1. Their deficit growing, the Tigers sought a way back into the game and the side were presented with the perfect opportunity when Boström found himself side-lined for interference. Setting out to test the Stars, Harrison made the most of Telford’s power play, making amends for his earlier misdemeanours by reducing the gap to just one goal, following build up play from forwards Callum Bowley and Karol Jets. With so much action unfolding in this stanza, MacKriel’s men were soon to find themselves shorthanded once again as defenceman Joshua Hustwick made way for slashing on 12:52. Working hard to kill the penalty, though under pressure from the Stars, the Tigers held on for the remainder of the period as shot stopper Louis Edwards saw off several of Billingham’s attempts on goal to ensure his side remained in the game going into the second period.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning for the middle stanza, Billingham were eager to regain their two-goal cushion and did so on 22:07 as forward Jack Watkins played the puck to Palmebjörk who did not miss his mark. To make matters worse, the Tigers’ lack of discipline resulted in another penalty which saw Adam Brittle serve two minutes for roughing. Playing just forty seconds with the additional man, Billingham found the back of the net for a fifth time when blue liner Matthew Campbell achieved his first league goal of the season for the Stars with support from Bowman and Boström. As the halfway point in the period fast approached, play was disrupted by penalties from both teams. Whilst Star Josh Nertney picked up two minutes for hooking with just over thirty minutes of the game played, netminder Daniel Brittle incurred a ten minute misconduct penalty from Telford’s bench following an exchange of words with referee Andrew Miller. However, Billingham soon found themselves two men short as Thornton was directed to the sin bin with forty one seconds still remaining of Nertney’s penalty. Though MacKriel’s men found it difficult to challenge Flavell with this advantage, a charging offence from Callum Read meant that the Shropshire outfit were placed on the power play for the final minute of the period and the side were able to add third to their tally as former Hawk Matt Viney printed his name on the scoresheet, courtesy of Luke Brittle and Slovakian import Jets.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Resuming play for the final instalment of the game, Billingham headed into this period feeling that they could continue to dominate whilst the home side, though down, were certainly not out. The team talks over with, the Stars quickly took hold of possession to secure their sixth goal of the game; Boström finding his second of the evening with Bowman on hand to earn his third assist alongside forward Jack Emerson. Just forty two seconds later, the Teessiders again found the target as Scott Ward sent Watkins through on goal to make it 7-3. With the gap between the two outfits growing considerably, MacKriel recognised the need for a timeout but, with a four-goal deficit to overturn, Telford’s task was not an easy one. Though attempting to create chances in the Stars’ defensive zone, the Tigers found themselves under pressure from Billingham’s offence and it was not long before Edwards was again picking the puck from the back of his net; Sykes receiving a pass from Thornton to allow Elder to achieve his seventh league goal of the Stars’ campaign. Unwilling to give up on the game, even as the clock counted down the final few minutes, Telford were rewarded for their efforts on 59:02 as Viney linked up with Adam Brittle who bagged himself another. With this merely a consolation, the Tigers watched on as Terry Ward’s men raced into their defensive zone to make it 9-4 just thirteen seconds later, Watkins the scorer following build up play from Palmebjörk and Nertney.

Stars dazzle Blackburn as slump continues for Hawks

Blackburn Hawks 5

Billingham Stars   7

Going into this game on the back of their 9-4 victory over Telford Tigers on Saturday, Billingham Stars could take both confidence and momentum into their encounter with Steven Duncombe’s Hawks whose only fixture this weekend was a home clash with the Teessiders. With both teams icing depleted line-ups, anything was possible as the two forces took to the ice for faceoff hoping to earn another two league points; the Stars aiming to make it into second place whilst their Lancashire hosts required a victory to ensure that they did not slip further down the NIHL North standings.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

As the early stages of the first period played out, both teams sought to pressure their opposition, Billingham attempting to make the most of the several opportunities which fell their way whilst Blackburn’s Rick Bentham and Philip Mulcahy worked hard to get their team off the mark. It was shortly after these early moments that the home side were able to go ahead in the game, Bentham eventually finding the back of the net following creative play from Mulcahy and player-coach Duncombe. Though a goal down, Billingham were handed a power play just over two minutes later when Hawk Aaron Davies headed to the sin bin for high sticks. Try as they might, the Stars were unable to capitalise with the additional skater and watched on as Blackburn returned to five men unscathed. Searching for an opportunity to draw level, Billingham were made to labour for their equaliser and, despite their many shots, Trapans and his defence were on hand to see off the Stars’ advances until 16:29 when Swedish import Daniel Palmebjörk sent Jack Watkins through on goal to make it 1-1. As the period drew to a close, the Hawks were then stunned as the Stars hit a second past their netminder. With just eleven seconds remaining ahead of the break, skilful forward Michael Elder received the puck from Callum Davies to add his name to the scoresheet, allowing the visitors to head in with a 2-1 lead.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

This sudden switch of power led both teams to understand that the next goal would be crucial as they returned to the ice but the period opened with a show of poor discipline from Blackburn to hand the Teessiders the advantage on 23:04 as Bobby Caunce made way for delaying the game. Matters were made worse for the home side however, as just forty seconds later, Bentham followed suit to present the Stars with a five-on-three situation. Though the visitors had a clear advantage at this point in the game, the Hawks’ defence remained strong under pressure to kill these penalties effectively. Soon after, it was Billingham’s turn to go shorthanded as young defenceman Will Robson found himself side-lined for holding to award Blackburn a power play. Likewise, the Hawks failed to make a significant impact on the advantage and could not place the puck beyond shot stopper Flavell who remained calm and collected between the pipes. With this penalty over, Hawk Nick Oliver was then punished by referee David Farren for holding with just over thirty minutes played. In consequence, the Stars went on the power play but, again, their efforts were to no avail. With three seconds of Blackburn’s penalty remaining, Oliver was joined by team mate Reece Cairney-Witter following a call for delaying the game. Again, this penalty went unpunished by Billingham but, realising that they must add to their tally having had so many chances, Terry Ward’s men finally hit home as player-coach Bowman struck the puck past Trapans just twenty one seconds after their opposition had returned to full strength. The score line 3-1, and with no further scoring in this period, Billingham headed into the final third with this two-goal cushion and the desire to extend their lead further.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice for the final period, Duncombe and his players were eager to change the score line but almost immediately suffered a setback when Caunce again headed to the sin bin for high sticks with only fifty five seconds played. Forced to work hard on the penalty kill, Blackburn cleared Billingham’s attempts from their defensive zone to ensure that they did not fall even further behind. Less than five minutes later though, Elder picked up his second goal of the game as Sykes played the puck to his line mate, making it 4-1 in the process. Requesting a rapid response from his players, Duncombe looked on as Bentham snatched another, this time Oliver assisting with some help from Bobby Streetly. Just when it appeared that the game was very much in Billingham’s control, the Hawks then reduced their deficit further as Davies slotted past Flavell after passing play between Finnish import Mikko Sierman and forward Tom Parkinson. With victory for the Stars now hanging in the balance, the Teessiders recognised the need to act quickly and, as Callum Davies and Elder linked up once more, Sykes picked up the puck and dashed into the Hawks’ defensive zone before unleashing a shot which restored Billingham’s two goal cushion. With a fast-paced period ensuing, Blackburn were next to add to their tally, Sierman finding the target courtesy of Oliver and Aaron Davies. The Hawks’ celebrations proved to be short-lived however, as Swedish import Dennis Boström fired home on 57:05. Clinging onto their lead, Billingham then grabbed another just forty two seconds later as Callum Davies assisted Palmebjörk to prompt a timeout from their hosts. Duncombe’s words clearly made an impression as fifty seconds later, Bentham completed his hat trick whilst Sierman helped the puck on its way, having received a pass from Oliver who grabbed his third assist of the encounter. This goal proved to be all too little, too late for the Hawks though as the Stars continued to have the edge over their opposition to leave Lancashire with a 7-5 victory, meaning Billingham now go second in the Moralee Conference with twelve points from eight games. Speaking after the game, forward Chris Sykes kindly took the time to share his views: “This was a four point weekend for the Stars! Everything we set out to do, we did and we had a great weekend. Four massive league points and we played some good hockey all weekend. It’s what we had talked about, we executed the plans and came away with full points.”

Warriors slay Dragons in quest for valuable league points

The Dragons         4

Whitley Warriors 11

With the newly promoted Dragons performing to the best of their ability in Division One so far this season, David Longstaff’s Whitley Warriors were aware that this game would prove to be a great battle due to the teams’ close proximity in the NIHL North standings. Whilst Whitley travelled to Deeside with fifteen skaters, The Dragons iced a strong line-up to better their chances of success against the Hillheads outfit.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With the first period underway, both sides entered into this competitive clash with spirit and it was not long before the deadlock was broken as Whitley opened the scoring on 3:55 when former Dragon Shaun Kippin played the puck to Longstaff who did not miss the target. Just three seconds later, the Warriors then found themselves at a disadvantage as enforcer Andre Payette took to the sin bin for slashing to present The Dragons with a power play. Happy to make the most of this opportunity, the home side capitalised quickly as forward Alex Parry punished Whitley with the help of captain James Parsons. The Dragons celebrations proved to be short-lived however, as just forty seconds later the visitors took the lead again, Longstaff firing past netminder Jonah Armstrong following an assist from line mate Callum Watson. The score line now 2-1, it was not long before Payette was again on the wrong end of a slashing penalty but, this time, the Warrior was joined by the opposition’s Slovakian defenceman Peter Gazda who received a minor for the same offence. Their punishment served, Whitley then took an additional penalty when captain Dean Holland was considered guilty of hooking. Despite working hard on the penalty kill, the Warriors were disappointed to concede a second penalty twenty nine seconds later when Kippin was shown to the penalty box for holding. This five-on-three situation lead to Whitley’s concession of a successive power play goal to Scott McKenzie’s men; the player-coach integrating Finnish import Markus Kankaanranta into play to send Parsons through on goal. Whilst Longstaff’s line-up continued to apply pressure to their opposition, peppering shot stopper Armstrong with twenty five shots to the twelve fired at netminder Richie Lawson, neither side were able to add to their tallies in the remaining time and the two outfits went in at the interval on level terms.

Heading into the second period, both teams were eager to go ahead in the game, particularly the visitors who had already taken the lead twice, only for the hardworking Dragons to hit back with an equaliser on both occasions. It was perhaps this knowledge which spurred the Warriors onto the achievement of their next goal as Watson again linked up with Longstaff to allow Kippin to light the lamp against his previous club. Minutes after restoring their lead, Whitley then watched as blue liner Dan Pye was shown to the sin bin for illegal equipment whilst Dragon Macauley Stones received two minutes for roughing. With these penalties served, it was not long before the visitors were faced with another, this time Kippin punished for charging. Killing the penalty with great success, the Warriors were then quick to extend their lead further following their return to full strength as Pye made amends for his earlier misdemeanour, achieving a goal with support from DJ Good. Just twenty seconds after this goal, Stones was again side-lined for roughing to hand Whitley a power play and it was an opportunity too good to pass up for Longstaff’s men who capitalised with only ten seconds of the advantage played when Holland’s unassisted effort zipped past Armstrong. Less than two minutes later, The Dragons were stunned by a fifth goal from the Warriors as an unassisted Watson worked hard to hit home on 37:27 to present his team with a four-goal lead prior to the final period.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The gap between the sides now visible, the Warriors went into the third period hopeful that they could secure two points but equally aware that McKenzie’s men were capable of the comeback, having demonstrated their goal scoring prowess on several occasions this season. Replacing Armstrong with Matthew Compton between the pipes, McKenzie and his men continued to aspire to victory, despite the difficulties they had already endured.  With four and a half minutes of the final instalment played, Payette conceded his third penalty of the game for hooking which awarded The Dragons a power play. Only four seconds of the advantage had been played when the home team struck gold to pull back a goal, Parsons winning the faceoff to assist Kankaanranta’s first goal of the game. The Warriors’ response was rapid as just thirty two seconds passed by before the puck was again in the net but this time Compton was on the receiving end as Kippin snatched his second of the game following passing play from Watson. As the game became increasingly end-to-end, The Dragons were quick to go on the offensive once again; Kankaanranta successfully breaking down Whitley’s defence on 46:30 to place the puck beyond Lawson with player-assistant coach Marc Lovell on hand to support. The scoreboard now reading 7-4 in Whitley’s favour, the Warriors held off until the period was past its halfway point before adding to their tally as Longstaff returned the favour to set up Watson. Soon after, both teams then went on to incur penalties as Martin Crammond received a minor for roughing alongside Dragon Corey Stones whilst Macauley Stones warmed a seat in the sin bin for slashing. With the home side missing two players as a result, Whitley continued with four men and were able to make the most of their advantage as forward Ben Richards set up Kippin who claimed his hat trick on 56:50. From here, the situation was even-handed and it was not long before the hardworking Lawson Glasby could make it 10-4 as defenceman Craig Johnson continued his recent good form to allow his teammate to achieve his third goal of the season. With two points now far from The Dragons’ reach, the Warriors hit home a parting goal as Watson and Kippin, who had collectively contributed to seven of the ten goals already scored, united to allow Payette to round off a landslide victory for the Hillheads outfit. Now situated in fourth position with nine points, Whitley Warriors are two places ahead of The Dragons who sit in sixth position with seven points. Reflecting on this win, player-coach David Longstaff kindly took the time to share his thoughts with NIHL Northern Trio: “We started off slow but gradually got into the game and had to kill off some very dubious penalties but we got the result we deserved in the end. Lawson Glasby played his best game to date and gave the team lots of energy with his work rate.”

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