NIHL Weekend Action

Tempers flare in cup contest as Sharks snap up win

Blackburn Hawks    4

Solway Sharks        6

Making the trip to Lancashire for an NIHL North Cup fixture against Steven Duncombe’s Blackburn Hawks, Solway Sharks were able to travel with a line-up of fifteen skaters which included returning forwards Connor Henderson and Duncan Speirs. Meanwhile, the Hawks’ squad appeared stronger still with twenty skaters at their disposal and netminders Niks Trapans and Stuart Ashton available for the clash.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Facing off for the first period, it was not long before the ill-disciplined Hawks conceded their first penalty of the game as two-way player Corey Stones made way for a crosscheck with just 2:22 on the clock. Aiming to make the most of their power play, the Sharks found it difficult to capitalise despite some early pressure on Trapans’ net but the home team returned to full strength unscathed to seek a path beyond Solway’s defence. It was not long after the termination of  Blackburn’s penalty that Shark Ross Murray dropped the gloves with Hawk Ollie Lomax, the duo earning 2+2 for roughing on 7:36. Just forty five seconds later though, Blackburn found themselves shorthanded as defenceman Reece Cairney-Witter took two minutes for elbowing to see Solway go on the advantage once more. In spite of their many efforts, the Dumfries outfit were unable to go ahead in the contest, though it was not for the want of trying with young two-way player Jordan Buesa, left winger Steven Moore and captain Struan Tonnar amongst those striving to alter the scoreboard. With all players eventually restored to the ice, it was not long after that Cairney-Witter was made to sit out for a second time as referee Paul Brooks ensured that his crosscheck did not go unpunished. Handed yet another opportunity to go ahead in the game, the Sharks battled on to no avail as Blackburn’s penalty kill proved to be a success. With the period fast heading towards its close, the deadlock remained unbroken at the interval to see the sides go in without a single goal to their name.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Filing back onto the ice for the second stanza, the Sharks realised that increased pressure on Trapans’ net would be the key to finding the first goal having failed to make their mark on the game as yet, though outshooting the Hawks by eighteen shots to six in the opening period. As such, it did not take Solway too long to find the target after the break as Finnish blue liner and former Hawk Kim Miettinen played a pass to Buesa who slotted home to present his team with a 1-0 lead. Having waited over a period for their first goal in the game, the second was naturally not far behind as Moore outwitted Duncombe’s defence to double the Sharks’ tally, following a neat pass from defenceman Stuart Andrews on 27:00. Stunned by their sudden change in fortune, the Hawks were rendered helpless just eleven seconds later when Tonnar made it 3-0 as Marc Fowley picked out fellow forward Connor Henderson who, in turn, sent his captain through on goal. Shortly afterwards, a hooking penalty against forward Joe Coulter placed the home team on a much-needed power play and, whilst they were unable to punish the Sharks for their misdemeanour, the side found a way past netminder Calum Hepburn forty seven seconds after their opposition had returned to five men; Aaron Davies opening their account with help from Bobby Streetly and Finnish import Mikko Sierman. This goal was quickly followed by a second for Blackburn as Davies claimed another in the space of thirty six seconds, Sierman again with the assist alongside former Shark Rick Bentham. Davies’ reaction after this goal led Brooks to hand the goal scorer a ten minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and just over a minute later, the game took a turn for the worst as Buesa found himself on the wrong end of a minor holding penalty whilst Hawk Ollie Lomax was ejected from the game for roughing, before conceding two further match bans for abuse of an official. The full extent of the captain’s punishment has now been confirmed as a ten game ban, meaning Lomax will not be available for the Hawks until the 1^st April when the side take on The Dragons. The score line 3-2, play resumed only for Solway to grab another goal as Buesa achieved his second of the game with support arriving from Slovakian blue liner Juraj Senko and returning forward Speirs. Furious at the concession of this goal, Bentham then found himself ejected from the game when a ten minute misconduct penalty quickly became a match ban for unsportsmanlike conduct, though this has since been increased to a three game ban due to an accumulation of penalty points. Whilst officials called the period to an end with 3:27 of the second stanza left to play, Solway were able to head in with a 4-2 advantage whilst the Hawks were left disappointed by their ill-discipline.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

After taking time to calm down, the players returned for the remainder of the second period but there were no further changes to the score line before the teams then switched ends in preparation for the final instalment of the game. As Sharks’ shot stopper Hepburn was replaced by netminder Kyle Johnston on Solway’s return to the ice, the backup goaltender continued between the pipes to gain over twenty minutes of ice time in the cup contest. A hooking penalty against Fowley on 44:39 saw the Sharks’ advantage cancelled out, with the side having started this section of play on a five-on-three power play. This penalty served, the Dumfries outfit then returned to full strength to set their sights on goal and they were soon able to establish a three-goal cushion as defenceman Stuart Kerr accomplished his first goal of the competition courtesy of Moore and Murray. After more than ten minutes of icing just four skaters, Blackburn finally returned to full strength, turning their attentions to Johnston’s net. Try as they might, the Hawks struggled to beat Solway’s defence and it was not until a slashing penalty against Henderson on 55:38 that the side managed to snatch a third goal as Slovakian import Jozef Istocy lined Davies up for his hat trick. Spurred on by Davies’ achievement, Duncombe’s men rallied in their attempts at a comeback and it was to the Sharks’ astonishment when Cairney-Witter helped forward James Riddoch through on goal to make it 5-4 just nineteen seconds later. Unnerved by the narrowing margin between themselves and their opposition, Solway opted for a timeout with the knowledge that overtime loomed should the Lancashire outfit grab just one more goal. Icing an additional skater in place of netminder Trapans, the Hawks were willing to take a risk with 1:24 remaining on the clock as possession switched to their offensive zone. Yet, luck did not appear to be on Blackburn’s side and the puck soon fell to Buesa who buried his shot into the empty net to simultaneously seal his hat trick and a win for the Sharks.

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, Solway’s Head Coach Martin Grubb shared: “We knew going into this game that it was going to be tough as Blackburn are improving and looking to push for a playoff spot. In the first period, we were dominant but some decent saves and wasteful finishing kept it scoreless. We were better at the start of the second and scored three quick goals and we thought it was done. I wasn’t happy with how we played and allowed the Hawks back into the game but it was another three points and we move into the next games.”

Stars startle Tigers in composed comeback

to take points

Telford Tigers     4

Billingham Stars 5

Making the trip to Telford with a strong squad of fifteen skaters, not to mention netminders James Flavell and Mark Watson, Billingham Stars arrived in Shropshire with hopes that they could snatch two points ahead of their derby day fixture with Whitley Warriors. However, Terry Ward and his men were aware that this would be no easy task when faced with Daniel MacKriel’s equally resilient Telford Tigers which included Brittle brothers Adam and Luke, Slovakian import Karol Jets, former EPL forward James Smith and returning enforcer Owen Bennett.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice for the first period, both teams were eager to grab the opening goal but it was the home side who got off to the better start as the puck made its way from Smith to fellow forward Luke Brittle who hit home to punish Flavell with just 3:54 on the clock. Less than two minutes later, netminder Daniel Brittle was dealt a minor for slashing to place the visitors on the power play. Watching on as Billingham assumed possession, matters were made worse for the Tigers when defenceman Conor Gordon was also made to serve two minutes for the same offence to award the Stars a five-on-three power play. Despite this great advantage, Billingham could not find the back of the net as MacKriel’s men worked hard to kill these penalties whilst shot stopper Brittle remained strong between the pipes. Returning to full strength, the Tigers resumed their pressure on Flavell’s net with their forwards striving to extend their lead whilst Billingham’s attempts failed to make an impact at the other end of the ice. Outshooting the Stars by fifteen shots to eight in this period, it was perhaps unsurprising that Telford were able to add a second to their tally when former Hawks Matt Viney and Adam Brittle teamed up to send forward Callum Griffin through on goal on 16:45. Stunned by their growing deficit, the Teessiders battled on until the break but the score line remained unchanged as the Tigers headed in with their 2-0 advantage intact.

Realising that a goal would be essential if they were to get themselves back in this game, the Stars joined Telford on the ice for the second period, aiming to demonstrate their firepower. It was clear however, that the Tigers would pick up from where they left off and they did so as Jets lit the lamp six minutes in following a neat pass from Luke Brittle. As with their first goal, Telford had no sooner scored than they were shorthanded as MacKriel conceded the side’s third consecutive slashing penalty forty six seconds later. Attempting to build possession on the power play, this advantage appeared to give Billingham the momentum they required and, whilst the side were unable to fire home with the additional skater, just over a minute had passed by when Star Jack Emerson slipped the puck beyond Brittle courtesy of player-coach Michael Bowman to make it 3-1. It was not long after this goal that the game began to get heated as netminder Flavell clashed with defenceman Gordon who was made to serve a two minute penalty for goaltender interference whilst the former was handed the same punishment for roughing. Besides these penalties, Jets was made to warm a seat in the sin bin alongside his teammate, earning himself a 2+2+10 for his involvement in the incident whilst Star Michael Elder was side-lined for ten minutes for abuse of an official. Placed on the power play as a result, the Teessiders began to increase their pressure on Brittle’s defence and were finally able to reap the rewards of their advantage to find the back of the net in the final minute of the period; Davies the man on target with assists from defenceman Thomas Keeley and Swedish import Dennis Boström.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Heading into the final period with just one goal separating the two teams, Billingham felt that this game was still very much within their grasp which was echoed by an excellent equaliser just twenty seven seconds after faceoff as Davies turned assist for Boström on this occasion to see his line mate achieve his twenty third league goal of the season. Rattled by this turn of events, the Tigers strove to take the lead once more but it was not until the seventh minute of the stanza that the perfect moment presented itself as Smith quickly capitalised on a delayed slashing penalty from Billingham’s blue liner Keeley to make it 4-3; Luke Brittle and Ben Simister on hand to assist. The contest close, it was not long before emotions spilled over in the game once again, this time Boström slashing Gordon before the pair came to blows to each earn two minutes for roughing whilst the former served an additional minor for his original offence. Shorthanded as a result, the Stars continued without losing heart to reap the rewards of their perseverance just twenty one seconds later with a shorthanded goal from returnee Chris Sykes following some neat play from skilled forward Jack Watkins. The score line now tied at 4-4, the Tigers were disappointed to find themselves on the wrong end of a comeback but were hopeful that they could still grab the points and opted for a timeout on 59:36. Buoyed by their coaches’ words, both teams returned but no sooner had they resumed play than the puck was again in the back of the net, Boström unleashing a shot which saw Brittle defeated after linkup play with Elder. Subsequently, Brittle then incurred a ten minute misconduct penalty, the netminder having vented his frustrations at this concession. Rallying to go level in the game, the home team pulled their netminder with fourteen seconds of play remaining but their efforts proved to be in vain as the Stars held onto the two points having gone ahead for the first time in the contest.

Stars strike back as fists fly in local derby

Billingham Stars    8

Whitley Warriors    4

Whilst the derby fixture is always an important one in the schedules of Whitley Warriors and Billingham Stars, both teams felt the weight of this contest was even greater due to the five points available from the combined league and cup clash. Icing a strong roster of seventeen skaters and starting with netminder James Flavell between the pipes, Billingham Stars lined up against David Longstaff’s equally energetic Warriors who were missing only power forward Jordan Barnes and defenceman Liam Smedley.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Ready for faceoff, the two teams took to the ice for what was a very closely contested opening to the derby as both sides chased the puck with great determination and, despite several efforts from the visitors who raced to possession at every opportunity, play appeared to drift back to the Stars’ offensive zone where forwards Chris Sykes, Dennis Boström and Daniel Palmebjörk were ready and waiting to take aim. It was not until 11:12 that the home team were awarded for their perseverance however, as referee Steven Wardell made the decision to hand blue liner Josh Maddock a minor for crosschecking whilst player-coach Longstaff was dealt a 2+10 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Feeling the injustice of this penalty, the disappointed Warriors resumed play alongside the Stars whose positivity shone through when Sykes worked with Palmebjörk to successfully line player-coach Michael Bowman up for the shot just seventeen seconds later. Spurred on by their 1-0 lead, the Teessiders were then able to double their tally less than a minute after achieving their first goal, Sykes again on hand, though this time finding defenceman Tom Keeley who enabled forward Jack Watkins to accomplish his eleventh league goal of the season. Bewildered by this sudden concession, matters rapidly worsened for the Warriors as Callum Watson made way for high sticks on 12:56 to see the Stars enjoy their third consecutive power play of the game. Though unable to capitalise with the additional man on this occasion, Billingham came very close to doing so as the puck made its way into the back of the net but a scramble in front of Jordan Boyle’s net meant the goal was ruled out, particularly as the chaos caused Boström to leave the ice injured at this point in play. Despite breathing a sigh of relief at this sudden reprieve, the Warriors found themselves under fire once again and this time there was no mistaking that the third goal would stand as Bowman teamed up with Sykes to see Palmebjörk print his name on the scoresheet on 15:57. Just under three minutes later, Billingham conceded their first penalty of the game as defenceman Ross Hanlon made way for holding to hand Whitley a much needed power play. Continually building on their best creative opportunities, the Warriors were finally able to make their mark on the game when well-worked play from captain Dean Holland and alternate captain Shaun Kippin allowed forward Ben Richards to light the lamp just ten seconds into their advantage. Whilst Hanlon’s penalty was terminated as a result of Whitley’s success, it was not long after that Michael Elder was side-lined for roughing to see the Hillheads outfit gain a second consecutive power play which ran into the middle stanza.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

Heading into the second period with the score line 3-1 in their favour, Boström returned to the ice as the Stars found themselves continuing to kill Elder’s penalty and did so with success, the forward reinstated only to contribute to Billingham’s fourth goal on 22:13 as Boström beat Whitley’s defence with ease to grab his twenty fifth league goal of his campaign whilst Longstaff made his return to the ice, having served his time. Soon after, Keeley was shown to the sin bin for interference to award Whitley a power play but again Longstaff’s line–up failed to make the most of their opportunities, though enforcer Andre Payette continued to utilise his intensity whilst forwards Holland, Watson, Kippin, Richards and long-serving Warrior DJ Good were persistent in their objective to snatch a second in the game. Fortune did not favour the visitors however and it was not long before the puck was again beyond Boyle, this time Sykes with an excellent shot courtesy of build-up play from Bowman and forward Luke Brown. It was after the concession of this goal that Longstaff saw fit to switch Boyle for usual first choice netminder Richie Lawson. Though the four goal deficit was a bleak one for Longstaff’s men, his side did not give up and their determination paid off as Good raced up the ice to thread a pass to Holland who beat Billingham’s blue line before swiftly punishing Flavell for good measure. Any hopes of a comeback for the away outfit were short lived though as the buoyant Warriors were stunned by yet another attack from the Stars; Palmebjörk claiming his second of the game twelve seconds later with support from Watkins and Sykes. The scoreboard now reading 6-2, the Warriors were left with little choice other than to battle on as a seventh goal arrived for the Stars, this time Davies making the most of a pass from Elder. Once again, Whitley were able to retaliate as Good unleashed a shot to punish Flavell on 35:14, Holland turning assist alongside blue liner Harry Harley, but Billingham were able to have the final say in the period as defencemen Andy Finn and Richie Thornton worked together to see team mate Elder hit the target just over a minute before the break. When filing from the ice, Watson and Sykes exchanged words which then resulted in a confrontation between Kippin and Keeley which was eventually diffused as the side’s headed into their respective dressing rooms.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning for the third period, the Stars were eager to seal their victory whilst Whitley were aiming for damage limitation but Longstaff’s men were not without their chances as the side tried their luck against Flavell in the early moments of the stanza. With tensions rising at the interval, it was clear that there was still some unfinished business between the rivals which rapidly came to a head on 47:26 as Payette clashed with Keeley who had crosschecked the enforcer in defence of netminder Flavell. As a result, the Warrior landed several blows upon Keeley which saw the Star leave the ice to seek treatment for his bloodied face. Whilst Keeley was handed a minor for crosschecking and 2+2 for fighting, Payette earned himself a two minute roughing penalty, 2+2+5 for fighting and a twenty minute misconduct penalty which saw the stalwart Canadian ejected from the game. In consequence, both teams battled on but the search for their next goal appeared somewhat overshadowed by the growing irritation between Watson and Sykes which saw the two come to blows when the former sought a way to settle their differences, though the latter certainly gave as good as he got. Both players serving penalties of 2+2 for fighting, their teams progressed without them and just seconds later the Warriors were able to achieve their fourth goal of the game as Good bagged another with help from youngster Anthony Wetherell and captain Holland. Shortly after Sykes and Watson were restored to the ice, Hanlon was made to warm a seat in the sin bin for a high sticks offence which saw the Warriors end the game on a power play but it was clear that the side’s efforts were in vain as the clock ran down to confirm their shattering derby defeat. Bitterly disappointed with the result of this local derby, player-coach David Longstaff noted: “It was a really good game for ten minutes and then the game was handed to Billingham on a plate.” Meanwhile, Star Chris Sykes had much to celebrate, his team having claimed maximum points from their double header: “A seven point weekend! Just what we wanted after a bad weekend; we bounced back to a great road win and coming back from 3-0 against the Tigers to beat them in the dying moments felt good and helped us roll into Sunday’s derby game at home. We got off to a flying start when they ended up in penalty trouble and we were 3-0 up ourselves in a matter of minutes. What a game it was, great for the fans and great to be a part of!”

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