NIHL Weekend Action

Stars fail to shine as Hawks swoop on league points

Billingham Stars    3

Blackburn Hawks   5

Unaccustomed to hosting on Saturday evenings, Billingham Stars invited Steven Duncombe’s Blackburn Hawks to The Forum to kick-start this weekend’s NIHL action and had at their disposal a line-up of nineteen skaters whilst opting for first choice shot stopper James Flavell over backup netminder Mark Watson. Meanwhile, the Hawks travelled with three skaters less than that of their opposition, with captain Ollie Lomax still unavailable for the side as he continues to serve his lengthy ban.

  

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The first period underway, Blackburn threw themselves into the game to cause some concern for the home side who also had their fair share of chances, with Swedish import Dennis Boström very close to scoring. The Hawks were able to apply some excellent pressure to Billingham’s defence as they set their sights on maximum points and it was not long before the visitors went ahead in the contest, forward Rick Bentham playing the puck to youngster Daniel Sanderson who successfully linked up with Mikko Sierman to see the Finnish import beat Flavell. Setting out to draw a penalty from the Hawks following this goal, defenceman Ross Hanlon provoked a crosscheck from Blackburn’s young forward Corey Stones but then found himself sinbinned for a slashing offence in the same instance to see his own team reduced to four men in the process. Searching for an equaliser, the Stars continued to challenge netminder Stuart Ashton but Blackburn’s defence held out against Billingham’s attack before ploughing on to try their luck at the other end of the ice. It was shortly after the termination of these penalties that Hawks’ Slovakian import Jozef Istocy incurred two minutes for a tripping offence to hand the Stars the advantage. Though unable to capitalise with the additional man, Billingham were able to draw level with Duncombe’s team just over a minute later when Chris Sykes rescued a misplaced pass from Swedish import Daniel Palmebjörk to fire home; player-coach Michael Bowman with the additional assist. Though both teams continued their efforts to find the target for a second time in the period, it was the home team who were able to edge shots on goal, hitting eleven at Ashton whilst Flavell was faced with nine attempts from the Hawks. The score level as the sides headed in at the break, Blackburn were buoyed by their positive start to the game whereas the Stars knew there was more that must be done if they were to maintain their momentum.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning to the ice for the middle stanza, Blackburn were eager to regain their lead and took just fifty eight seconds to double their tally as Duncombe teamed up with youngster James Royds to play Bentham through on goal with great success. Approximately three minutes after this goal, Duncombe was sidelined for crosschecking to hand the Stars another power play but, with just seconds remaining on this penalty, Hanlon conceded a minor for interference, placing his team at a disadvantage. Though Blackburn were unable to make the most of this opportunity, it was not for the want of trying, the side now showing their edge against the Stars who struggled to make a significant impact against the Hawks whose objective had been clear from faceoff. Continuing to create offensive opportunities through Bentham, Istocy and Duncombe to name but a few, it was not long before Blackburn established a two-goal cushion in the contest, this time forwards James Riddoch and Aaron Davies arriving in support of Istocy who executed his shot well to achieve his seventh league goal of the season with 34:18 on the clock. Stunned by Blackburn’s lead, the Stars attempted to instigate some attacking play of their own but their efforts proved fruitless, leaving the side with much to consider during the second interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice for the final period, the Teessiders were aware that their deficit could quickly get out of hand if they continued to play as they had done in the first two periods and a holding penalty for defenceman Ben Davison in the forty second minute certainly made matters worse for the home team as Billingham-born blue liner Lewis Baldwin claimed a power play goal with just three seconds of the advantage played; Davies and Bentham picking up assists on this occasion. The score line now 4-1 in Blackburn’s favour, the Stars showed no signs of recovery to cause increasing concern amongst the home crowd. A slashing penalty handed to player-coach Richie Thornton six minutes later saw Billingham go shorthanded yet again but, despite the Hawks’ many attempts, Flavell remained strong between the pipes to keep the side at bay. Returning to full strength, the Stars’ successful penalty kill may have allowed the Teessiders some hope but the Hawks continued to look dangerous in front of goal so it was little surprise when Nick Oliver’s unassisted effort hit the back of the net on 51:01 to prompt a timeout from Terry Ward. Play resuming, Billingham appeared re-energised on their return but it wasn’t long after that a tripping offence from Blackburn’s Reece Cairney-Witter caused a clash between Star Scott Ward and Hawk Carl Price to see all three earn minor penalties. Finally returning to full strength on 54:20, Billingham began to play with more intensity than before as they sought a second goal and their perseverance soon paid off when a pass from Sykes to Watkins allowed the forward to punish Ashton as he claimed his seventeenth league goal of the season. Just twelve seconds later, the Hawks’ defence was under scrutiny once again, this time Boström netting with an unassisted effort to see the visitors call a timeout with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Taking heed of Duncombe’s advice, Blackburn continued to defend exceptionally well to prevent the Stars from making one of their many chances count and, with no further scoring in the game, the Lancashire outfit were able to head home with the two points earned from their 5-3 victory.

Warriors scorched by Dragons to cause playoff place doubts

The Dragons           8

Whitley Warriors    2

Travelling to Deeside to face Scott McKenzie’s Dragons, Whitley Warriors were hoping to have more points to show for their latest road trip than that of recent weeks. Making the journey with eighteen skaters, which included young forward Jamie Ord, the Warriors were hopeful that they could triumph over The Dragons once again but knew that this would be no easy task. By comparison, McKenzie’s line-up boasted the talent of Slovakian import Filip Supa, experienced captain James Parsons and, of course, the player-coach himself who is currently the league’s second highest points scorer with sixteen goals and twenty nine assists.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Making an excellent start to the game, Whitley turned the tables on the Dragons, who have scored twice in the opening minute of play against the Warriors this season, to fire past young netminder Jonah Armstrong on fifty two seconds, forward Ben Richards the man on target courtesy of hardworking player-coach David Longstaff. Buoyed by their positive start, the Warriors’ joy proved short-lived when player-coach McKenzie slipped past Whitley’s defence with help from Supa and defenceman Ross Kennedy to equalise. With a goal apiece, both teams continued to work hard in offence, the Warriors hoping to regain their lead and the Dragons eager to put in a good performance in front of a home crowd. As such, it was the Welsh outfit were able to snatch the lead, appearing relentless in possession to finally hit the back of the net a second time as McKenzie notched another, Supa assisting alongside alternate captain Matthew Wainwright on this occasion. Shortly after this goal, Kennedy found himself in the sin bin for a boarding offence but, in spite of this, the Dragons were able to extend their lead to 3-1 when a delayed slashing penalty against Richards allowed Supa the freedom to achieve an unassisted effort. Whilst this two-goal cushion may have been a manageable deficit for the Warriors, the home team found success for a fourth time when Parsons fired his unassisted effort beyond netminder Richie Lawson on 18:58 to see his side head in with a 4-1 lead at the break.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon

Returning to the ice with much work to do, the Warriors were eager to get on the scoresheet again and, after several opportunities from both teams with Lawson and Armstrong equally tested, power forward Jordan Barnes received the puck from his player-coach to reduce the deficit to just two whilst stand-in defenceman Martin Crammond also picked up an assist. Just twenty five seconds later though, Barnes found himself punished for boarding to hand the Dragons a power play which they were quick to capitalise on, alternate captain Andrew Chappell taking just twenty seven seconds to light the lamp following a neat pass from McKenzie. It was not long after that the Warriors ran into further penalty trouble, this time enforcer Andre Payette warming a seat in the sin bin for slashing. Working hard to kill the penalty, Whitley were successful in their efforts to return to full strength without further damage to the score line but the side were soon reduced to four men as Longstaff incurred two minutes for tripping. Again, the Warriors battled to prevent the home team from scoring and, restored to the ice on 39:01, Longstaff and his team were able to see out the period without further concession, in spite of increased pressure from the Dragons.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon

The score line now 5-2 in favour of the home side as both teams filed onto the ice for the third period, Whitley Warriors were aware that it would now take some effort to defeat McKenzie’s men who were willing to give their all to survive the NIHL’s relegation battle. The Dragons adding another to their tally through forward Geoff Wigglesworth on 45:39, this goal prompted a change of netminder for the Warriors as Lawson was replaced with backup shot stopper Jordan Boyle. Despite this switch, Longstaff’s defence struggled to withstand the growing pressure from their opposition and could not make any one of their few chances count before Parsons netted his second of the game to make it 7-2. The deficit now spiralling out of Whitley’s control, Warrior Alan Yarrow was spurred into action but a slashing penalty incurred by the forward saw the Dragons handed the advantage to capitalise just over a minute later; Parsons achieving his hat trick on 53:49 following assists from McKenzie and forward Jordan Bannon. The game skipping away from the Warriors, Whitley knew that there was very little chance of securing two points from this contest but were prepared to plough on nonetheless, until a hit against Dragon Louis Morgan from Warriors’ enforcer Payette left the young defenceman receiving treatment on the ice. With the result beyond doubt and just six minutes left to play, officials made the decision to abandon the remainder of the game which confirmed the Dragons’ victory and increased doubts about Whitley’s qualification for playoff weekend. Commenting after the game, player-coach David Longstaff expressed his dismay at this defeat: “Since our defenders have decided they can’t play the long away trips we’ve conceded twenty seven goals in three games and we conceded four in the two games before that. I think that tells the story. We’re asking forwards to play out of position and we’re simply not good enough to win these games without our main defenders.” 

  

Hawks soar to victory over league leaders to confirm four-point weekend

Blackburn Hawks    6

Solway Sharks         3

Following their excellent start to the weekend with a win over Terry Ward’s second-placed Billingham Stars at The Forum on Saturday, Blackburn Hawks headed into this game with hopes of a victory over league leaders Solway Sharks to complete their four-point weekend. Meanwhile, their Dumfries visitors arrived at Blackburn Ice Arena in search of two points to continue their good form ahead of playoff weekend, though without several of their usual line-up, including first choice netminder Calum Hepburn, two-way player Ben Edmonds, injured alternate captain Ross Murray and forward Connor Henderson.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Heading into the first period with a clear objective, the Sharks were hoping to show that their slightly depleted roster would not affect their overall performance. Opting for backup netminder Chris Rae between the pipes, though the netminder was not at full health, Solway were faced with Steven Duncombe’s resolute Blackburn from faceoff. Each team battling eagerly to take the lead, it was the Hawks who were first to get off the mark as forward Aaron Davies linked up with youngster Lewis Baldwin to see Jozef Istocy make the most of their passing play on 7:26. Aware of the threat that Blackburn has posed on several occasions this season, the Sharks were spurred into action to try their luck at the other end of the ice but to no avail. A tripping penalty for ‘D’ man Stuart Andrews then handed the Hawks a power play opportunity but just nineteen seconds before this penalty was over, it was the turn of forward Philip Mulcahy to warm a seat in the sin bin as the Sharks were handed the advantage. Striving to achieve a power play goal, Solway struggled to equalise with efforts from their strong cohort falling short of the target. With just one goal separating the two sides at the interval, the Sharks left the ice with the knowledge that there was still time to turn the game around.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon

The second period underway, Solway’s acquisition of an equalising goal was the side’s main priority as they worked hard in offence to reap the rewards close to two minutes in when left winger Steven Moore threaded a pass to young two-way player Jordan Buesa who linked up with fellow junior Daniel Abercrombie to see the forward place his side on level terms. Solway’s celebrations proved short-lived though as, just forty three seconds later, Davies netted to make it 2-1 in Blackburn’s favour, this time Baldwin integrating forward James Riddoch into play to see the duo assist. Though both teams continued to work hard, Solway were able to increase their chances on goal to test Ashton and his defence on a more regular basis but the home team remained strong in their defensive zone to ensure their Dumfries visitors were unable to find a second equaliser. As the period progressed and possession fell to the Hawks once more, Duncombe urged his team to extend their tentative lead and his side soon responded with a goal, Istocy with his second of the evening following support from Davies and versatile defenceman Chris Gee. Just over two minutes later, Rae was again picking the puck from the back of his net when Mulcahy worked with Davies who achieved his third assist of the evening when setting up blue liner Nick Oliver. Now three goals adrift, the Sharks had much to be concerned about as they headed in at the break whereas the Hawks filed from the ice feeling positive about their comfortable lead against the league champions.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning for the third period, the Sharks knew that they must act quickly to stand any chance of a comeback and a goal on 42:39 appeared to present the team with a strong start to the final stanza as defenceman Stuart Kerr worked with forward Marc Fowley to create some excellent build up play which allowed Slovakian defenceman Juraj Senko to print his name on the scoresheet. Aiming to build on this opening goal, the Sharks found themselves with chances to increase their tally but had far less shots on target than they did in the middle section of the game to struggle to make an impact against the determined Hawks. A fifth goal for Blackburn was delivered a little after the halfway point in the period when Istocy buried his unassisted effort to wrap up his hat trick. Less than three minutes later, the Sharks retaliated with a goal of their own as Moore grabbed Solway’s third with help from Senko and hardworking forward Joe Coulter but the visitors’ jubilation quickly fizzled out when, just twenty five seconds later, the Hawks hit home another as Davies collected his second goal of the game; Baldwin working with forward Rick Bentham on this occasion to punish Solway’s defence. The score line 6-3 and little time remaining in the game, the Sharks were tireless in their quest to add to the scoreboard but the Hawks showed more desire than their opposition to hold onto their three-goal lead and subsequently claim maximum points from the contest. Speaking after this game, Solway Sharks’ Head Coach Martin Grubb shared: “We always knew this would be a difficult game and it was made harder with the result Blackburn gained in Billingham as we knew they would be flying. We went into the game looking for the win as it was important to try to keep our momentum going but it wasn’t to be.  I thought offensively we created lots of chances and dominated spells in the game but we missed way too many chances. Defensively, we were poor and that’s not normally like us. We played with our backup goalie who is also injured and I was very disappointed we didn’t do a better job of protecting him but we will learn from this and take the positives to move forward.”

Shooting Stars bring down Barons in fiery contest

Solihull Barons       2

Billingham Stars    4

Requiring a win to bounce back from their unexpected defeat to Blackburn Hawks on Saturday evening, Billingham Stars made the trip to Hobs Moat Road with their sights set on maximum points as they travelled with a strong squad of sixteen skaters, as well as netminder James Flavell and backup shot stopper Callum Reynolds. Icing an equally strong team, the Barons were more than up for the contest, going into this game on the back of two convincing victories over Whitley Warriors in recent weeks.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Eventually facing off against Perry Doyle’s well-drilled team following issues with the ice, the Stars were quick to test Solihull’s netminder Sam Hewitt as former EPL-player Jack Watkins hit the bar with a little over a minute played whilst fellow forwards James Moss and Callum Davies linked up well to cause problems for the home team. The Barons continuing to prove difficult competition however, it was not long before Flavell was called into action with some of Solihull’s most skilled forwards in Josh Bruce and Thomas Soar trying their luck whilst youngster Matthew Maurice continued to shine in front of the net to ensure Billingham’s defence were kept busy. Though collectively having thirty two shots on goal, it took over eighteen minutes for the deadlock to be broken with Billingham first to take the lead as Moss was finally successful in his efforts to beat Hewitt following another neat pass from Davies. It was shortly after this goal, and in the final minute of the period, that Barons’ defenceman Ryan Selwood was called to the sin bin for delaying the game to hand the Stars a power play which would run into the early stages of the second period.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Though recognising that they would need to work hard to make the most of this opportunity, the Teessiders were unable to double their lead with the additional man and soon conceded a penalty of their own when blue liner Thomas Keeley made way for hooking on 21:41 to hand Doyle’s men the advantage. Though working hard on the power play, with Swedish import Niklas Ottosson, Soar and Bruce amongst those striving for an equaliser, the Barons failed to score in these circumstances and it was only when the Stars returned to full strength that Solihull were finally able to punish the side; Ottosson teaming up with Soar to send forward Richard Slater through on goal with success. Just over four minutes later, a hooking penalty for Ross Hanlon saw Solihull go on the power play but the Barons were unable to make the most of this opportunity, only to be handed a second chance at a power play goal when blue liner Ben Davison made way for tripping on 35:37. Fifty three seconds later, Billingham were disappointed when they failed to be as effective on the penalty kill, allowing Soar to find a way past Flavell after skillful play from Ottosson and hard work from defenceman Richard Crowe. With Billingham now losing to their opposition, the final minute of the period saw the sides clash with one another as Stars Davies and Davison picked up roughing penalties alongside Barons Maurice and Ottosson to see the quartet sidelined going into the final stanza.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

These penalties not yet over, Swede Daniel Palmebjörk incurred a minor for hooking just forty five seconds into the third period and this penalty was still being served when Bruce was called to the penalty box for the same offence on 42:34 to hand the Stars a power play. Initially unable to capitalise with the additional man, this advantage allowed Billingham to build on their possession and it was not long after that the Teessiders achieved their second goal, Moss again finding the target, this time Davies linking up with Elder to assist. Just over a minute later, Hanlon found himself sinbinned once again but a penalty for Solihull’s captain Tomas Janak soon followed as a misconduct penalty was added to his original punishment for slashing, the right winger having voiced his feelings on this matter. Looking to make the most of their offensive chances before returning to full strength, the Stars were pleased to see Watkins reclaim his team’s lead with his eighteenth league goal of the season; Palmebjörk on hand to snatch an assist. Returning to full strength, the Stars fought hard against the Barons and, as a result, it was not long after this goal that the side were able to create a two-goal cushion to see the points change hands. Now chasing the game, Solihull’s frustrations became apparent and Bruce found himself caught up in the midst of the action as he left the Barons’ bench to engage in confrontation with Sykes and Palmebjörk which resulted in a penalty of 2+2 besides the forward finding himself ejected from the game. Conceding a tripping penalty shortly after this fracas, Davison saw his own side go shorthanded, presenting the Barons with the option to pull their netminder for an additional skater with just under two minutes remaining in the game. This, when combined with a tripping penalty for Hanlon in the final eighteen seconds of the clash, may have appeared quite the advantage but Billingham’s lead was enough to see the Stars claim two points on the road to travel back to Teesside triumphantly. 

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