Tigers
tear Warriors apart to creep away from relegation
Telford Tigers 7
Whitley Warriors 3
Travelling to
Shropshire with a short bench as expected, Whitley Warriors were again missing
several defencemen as experienced ‘D’ man Dan Pye, skilled blue liner Harry
Harley and former recreational player Joe Stamp were unable to make the trip alongside forward Ben Richards and Under 20s Anthony Wetherell and Ross Douglass. Up against Telford’s twenty-man team
which included skilled Slovakian import Karol Jets, hardworking forwards Adam
Brittle, Callum Bowley and James Smith, not to mention strong netminder Daniel
Brittle, the Warriors were aware of the challenge awaiting them with Telford
as much in need of the points as themselves.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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The first period
underway, the Warriors were able to make a positive start to the game, working
hard to gain possession against the Tigers who were equally eager to see their
fair share of the puck. Maintaining this work ethic, it
was not long before David Longstaff’s men opened their account through enforcer Andre
Payette who, achieving his second league goal of the season, saw his unassisted effort
beat Brittle to nudge his team into the lead. This goal appeared to spark
some belief within the Warriors’ setup as, just fifty seven seconds later, Brittle
was picking the puck from his net for a second time as forward Callum Watson
threaded a pass to Longstaff who did not miss his mark to double
Whitley’s tally. Their two-goal cushion far from a comfortable one with Telford
showing determination to find a foothold in the game, it was little surprise
when Daniel MacKriel’s men hit home approximately four minutes later as Adam
Brittle’s unassisted shot was buried beyond netminder Richie Lawson to make it
2-1. Spurred on by their first goal of the game, the Tigers were soon searching
for an equaliser and it was not long before it arrived, this time forward Matt
Viney working with Brittle in the Warriors’ crowded defensive zone before
finding Dale White who netted on 15:32 to reward his teammates’ perseverance.
Disappointed to have undone their excellent work in the early stages of the
game, the Warriors hoped to make it to the interval on level terms but the
Tigers had other ideas, scoring with just eighteen seconds of the period
remaining as Jets achieved his nineteenth league goal of the season
courtesy of line mate Bowley. Trailing by a goal as they headed in at the
break, the Warriors were frustrated to have lost their two-goal lead so quickly
whilst the Tigers were overjoyed at their progress following a disappointing start.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Aiming for a better
outcome at the end of the second period, the Warriors returned in search of a
goal and were handed the perfect opportunity when Adam Brittle made way with
just twenty seven seconds played for a high sticks offence which awarded the
visitors a power play. Though striving for a goal, Whitley’s efforts were in
vain as they struggled to beat Telford’s sturdy shot stopper, Brittle. This
missed opportunity would be one that the Warriors would regret though as less than
two minutes later the home side were again adding to the scoreboard, this time
young defenceman Joseph Gilbert playing the puck to MacKriel who picked out forward James Smith to see the Tiger slot home on 24:20. Beginning to feel the points
slip away from their grasp, the Warriors battled to carve a path through
Telford’s defence but their efforts made little difference and it was not long
after that the team’s frustrations spilled over as Payette grappled
with Tigers’ captain Daniel Croft; the former earning himself 2+2 for roughing
whilst the latter received just two minutes for the same offence. It was
shortly after this incident that Whitley’s captain Dean Holland was shown to
the sin bin for tripping but with only fifty four seconds of this penalty
served, stand-in defenceman Martin Crammond joined
his team mate for a slashing misdemeanour to see Telford’s advantage increase. It was not long after that Telford’s Conor Gordon found himself on the
wrong end of a slashing call to disrupt the flow of play further, leaving his
side shorthanded and the advantage with Whitley when Longstaff’s men returned to full strength. Shortly after the termination of Crammond’s penalty, the
Warriors were dealt a further blow when experienced forward DJ Good was made to
warm a seat in the sin bin for hooking. Despite this, Whitley continued to
be incredibly effective on the penalty kill to prevent their deficit from spiralling out of control and, just twenty four seconds after this return to the ice, Good made up for his misdemeanour with an assist as he teamed
up with Holland to see fellow forward Watson make his mark on the game. Closing the
gap between themselves and the Tigers ahead of the break, the Warriors were
hopeful that they could turn the situation around but knew that such a feat
would not be without its difficulties.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Filing onto the ice for
the final period of the game, the Tigers were hopeful that they could add to
their lead whilst the Warriors were aware that they would need to put in an
outstanding performance to defeat MacKriel’s resolute men. Continuing to battle
with the home team at the beginning of the stanza, Whitley then found
themselves shorthanded at the midpoint of the period when Payette made his way
to the penalty box for roughing to once again provide the Tigers with the
advantage. Whilst Telford were unable to make the most of this chance to extend
their lead on the power play, it was not long after Payette’s return to the ice
that the Shropshire outfit were able to convert their possession into a fifth goal, this
time MacKriel setting up Bowley who successfully punished Lawson to increase
the gap between his side and the Warriors. Trying to battle their way back
into the game, Longstaff’s line-up found it difficult to test Brittle at the other end
of the ice; the Tigers dominating shots on goal by fourteen to Whitley’s four. With
the game heading towards its conclusion and no change to the 5-3 score line,
the Warriors opted for a timeout on 58:38, making the decision to pull Lawson
from his net in a bid to grab a goal and recover some lost ground. This
decision quickly backfired on Whitley however, as it took just
seven seconds for Bowley to claim an empty net goal, Jets linking up with the
forward following White’s collection of the puck in Telford’s defensive zone.
Their three-goal deficit signifying a loss, Lawson swiftly returned to the
ice but the Warriors were rendered helpless twenty one seconds later when Bowley
achieved his hat trick to make it 7-3 on 59:06, allowing his team to cruise
over the finish line.
Slick
Sharks outshoot Barons to collect silverware
Solway Sharks 4
Solihull Barons 1
Setting out to bounce
back from last weekend’s road defeat against Blackburn Hawks, Solway Sharks
invited Solihull Barons to the Dumfries Ice Bowl for one last time this season.
Though taking to the ice without captain Struan Tonnar and two-way player Ben
Edmonds, Solway were able to include stand-in captain Ross Murray who made his
return from injury whilst first choice netminder Calum Hepburn took his usual
place between the pipes having missed out on last weekend’s league contest.
Meanwhile, Solihull Barons made the trip to Dumfries with their usual strong
squad of sixteen skaters but were without usual netminders Josh Nicholls and
Sam Hewitt as shot stopper Connor Ranby started in net with Michelle Franklin
as backup.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Yet to lose a league
game on home ice this season, Martin Grubb’s men headed out in search of a
strong start to this contest in the hope that they could maintain their
excellent form. Battling for possession against the Barons from faceoff, the
Sharks were able to take control of the puck to set their sights on Ranby’s net.
It was following some skillful play from Finnish import Kim Miettinen and
creative left winger Steven Moore that young forward Daniel Abercrombie was
able to present his team with the lead, slipping beyond Solihull’s defence to hit the target on 4:20. It was shortly after this goal that Baron Josh Bruce found
himself sidelined for a crosscheck to award Solway a power play but, despite
their numerous chances on Ranby’s net, the Sharks failed to make the most of
this opportunity, allowing Perry Doyle’s men to return to full strength
unscathed. The Sharks were persistent in their efforts to double their lead
however, significantly outnumbering the offensive chances of the Barons to
finally snatch their second of the game; this time Abercrombie working with
Moore to setup forward Connor Henderson at the halfway point of the period to
add to Solihull’s deficit. Continuing to dominate as evidenced
by Solway’s twenty one shots on Ranby’s goal to the four attempts Hepburn was
faced with, the Barons were glad to be given some reprieve when youngster Scott
Henderson made way for interference on fourteen minutes to see Solihull try
their luck in front of goal, though to no avail. Effective on the penalty kill,
Solway were restored to five men and quickly assumed possession to find the
back of the net for a third time as Abercrombie achieved his twentieth league
goal of the season with support from fellow goal scorer Connor Henderson and
hardworking winger Moore. Less than three minutes remaining, the Sharks
continued to prove challenging opposition for their visitors who sought a goal
to reduce their deficit but, in spite of efforts from the Barons’ top points
scorers Niklas Ottosson, Joe Henry, and Thomas Soar to name but a few, the side
were left with little hope as they headed in at the break.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Heading back onto the
ice with a view to improve on their first period performance, Solihull were
eager to grab a goal and it showed as they set out to test Sharks’ netminder
Hepburn who had remained largely unchallenged in the opening period. With these
increased chances on goal, the Barons appeared far more of a threat to Solway’s
defence in the early stages of the second stanza, though the home team were
certainly not short of their own opportunities to ensure Ranby was made to work
at the other end of the ice. It was at the halfway point of the period that
events again swayed in favour of the Dumfries outfit as Solihull’s defenceman
Ryan Selwood was shown to the sin bin for roughing to hand Solway a power play
which the side quickly took advantage of to score just forty one seconds later
as Moore followed up his first period assists with a goal to add to his points haul; Miettinen and Abercrombie also grabbing their second
assists of the game in the process. Now leading by four goals, the Sharks were
aware of the threat posed by the Barons, the side having managed to turn around
several similar situations to claim points this campaign. As such, Grubb’s men
worked hard to keep Solihull at bay but the Sharks could not hold off Doyle’s
determined team indefinitely as Bruce beat Hepburn to make it 4-1 ahead of the
second interval, following linkup play from forward Andrew Whitehouse and blue liner Selwood.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Happy to hold onto
their lead, the Sharks returned for the final period with the knowledge that
the Barons would not give up the points easily and this proved to be the case
as the visitors fought to double their tally with hopes that they could ignite
a comeback. With both teams striving for their next goal, Solway’s forwards
continued to work hard when in possession of the puck whilst import Ottosson
sought an avenue for the opposition alongside line mate Soar. With neither
side able to add to the scoreboard, it was not long before the sides clashed as
young Shark Darren Stattersfield and forward Henry engaged in battle to earn
themselves 2+2 for roughing with just over five minutes remaining in the
period. It was not long after this that Head Coach Doyle opted to pull Ranby
from his net to present his team with the additional skater but with play eventually
switching to their own defensive zone, the Barons saw fit to reinstate their
netminder. Time fast running out, damage limitation was top of Solihull’s
priorities and it was not long after that the final buzzer eventually sounded on
the Sharks’ victory; the Dumfries outfit then collecting the league silverware
that they’ve worked so hard for this season. Reflecting on this game, Head
Coach Martin Grubb observed: “We knew it would
be a tough game as Solihull are a very good team and always come to play. I took
the opportunity to take in the game from the stands with the playoffs in mind
and Scott took over the bench. I thought we played really well on the puck,
scored some really nice goals as we moved the puck around and we should have
scored more but credit to Solihull as, after the first, they attacked us as
much as they could but we were pretty solid as a group. We are determined to
come into the playoffs in good form and this was an important win against a
possible playoff opponent.”
Short
benched Stars shoot down Sutton’s playoff hopes
Sutton Sting 2
Billingham Stars 5
Making the trip to Ice
Sheffield with a view to trial their performance on a larger ice pad,
Billingham Stars were without several key players, including forwards James
Moss, Jack Watkins, Callum Davies and Scott Ward besides defencemen Scott
Cooper, Callum Read and Matthew Campbell. The Sting, on the other hand, were
able to ice an incredibly strong squad of nineteen skaters besides excellent
netminders Dmitri Zimozdra and Zack Brown. Heading out in search of victory,
the Stars were eager to grab a win against the Sting having already lost out on
the road to the side this season but the Teessiders knew that this would be a
difficult task, with this Sutton’s final game of their campaign and the side in with a chance of qualifying for playoff weekend whilst
simultaneously at risk of relegation.
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| Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson |
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Having waited so long
for their first goal of the game, Terry Ward’s men were eager for another and
it showed as the side quickly doubled their lead on 23:23, this time Boström
linking up with Bowman to see his player-coach print his name on the score
sheet for a second time in the clash, counteracting the Sting’s positive start
to the period in the process. Following this goal, the Stars were able to
bombard Zimozdra with shots as the side continued their excellent work ethic
against Sutton’s steadfast defence but it took over ten minutes for Billingham
to add to the Sting’s deficit as Boström fired beyond Zimozdra to make it 3-0 when Bowman turned assist alongside Sykes. Recognising their
need to bounce back from this goal, the Sting were quick to retaliate as Gibson
buried an unassisted effort to provide his team with some hope. Sutton’s
celebrations were short-lived though as only thirty eight seconds later, blue liner
Ben Davison found the target with support from Palmebjörk and hardworking
forward Michael Elder. The score line 4-1, the situation rapidly deteriorated
for the Sting as defenceman Chris Wilcox headed to the sin bin for holding only
to be joined by Gibson just over a minute later as the goal scorer picked up a
minor misconduct penalty to see his side reduced to three men. Twenty five
seconds later, the duo were joined by Johnson who was sidelined for a slashing
offence to present the Stars with an even longer advantage but still the
visitors were unable to make the most of this opportunity as the Sting worked
hard on the penalty kill to ensure that their deficit was not greater than
three at the second interval.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Returning for the third
and final period, the Stars were eager to wrap up their victory whilst Simon
Butterworth’s men were wary that a loss would result in their side slipping
into the league placement playoff place without any games left to change their
fate and were hopeful that they could avoid this. Continuing their good work in
the opening moments of this period, the Stars had several chances but
ultimately failed to capitalise, with youngster Josh Nertney unlucky not to
score and both Elder and Palmebjörk failing to convert their attempts. Battling
back from Billingham’s attacking play, Sutton increased their efforts to add to
their tally and were able to reap the rewards soon after, this time Wilcox and Johnson working together
to send youngster Charlie Thompson through on goal with great success. Shortly
after this goal, the Sting were again punished for their lack of discipline as
Goodman made way for interference on 49:10 but the home team defended well on
the penalty kill to ensure that they did not concede further. Whilst hoping
this goal would ignite a comeback, the Sting were not short of opportunities to
test netminder Watson but were faced with the determined Stars who were content
to see out their victory. Making one last attempt to gain something from the
game, Butterworth called a timeout on 59:13 and opted to pull
Zimozdra from his net when play resumed but the decision to make use of the
additional skater failed to payoff for the home team as Bowman took possession
of the puck to find Elder who slotted into the empty net to make it 5-2 with
just sixteen seconds remaining in the game. As a result of this encounter, Sutton Sting now find themselves in the league placement playoff place
with all of their fixtures now played whereas the Stars continue to add to
their points tally as they sit comfortably ahead of their opposition in second
place with thirty six points from twenty seven league games. Commenting after
this game, Star Chris Sykes shared: “It
was nice to get a win in Sheffield against Sutton. We played on Pad 2 and
sometimes that can really make the game scrappy but we played some good hockey
and got the win we wanted. We had lots of guys missing through little knocks or
work commitments but we made it work and got
through it. We are happy with two points on the board.”
Cup
clash chaos knocks Warriors for six as Sharks sink Whitley
Whitley Warriors 1
Solway Sharks 6
Taking to the ice for
their final home game of the season in an NIHL North Cup clash against Solway
Sharks, Whitley Warriors’ player-coach David Longstaff opted to oversee proceedings
from the bench with a strong squad at his disposal, despite the absence of captain
Dean Holland and first choice shot stopper Richie Lawson; the latter making way
to provide some valuable ice time to backup netminders Jordan Boyle and Rory
Dunn. By contrast, the Sharks were missing several familiar faces, including
two-way players Jordan Buesa and Ben Edmonds, captain Struan Tonnar and
alternate captain Ross Murray who continues to make a gradual return from
injury. With little to play for in this game, there was certainly nothing to
lose, though the Warriors were aiming to achieve a victory in their last home game of the season.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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The first period facing
off, the home team were aware that the opening goal would be important but, in
spite of the close contest, the Warriors found it difficult to execute their
chances, though the pace of stand-in captain Jordan Barnes and the intensity of
enforcer Andre Payette undoubtedly aided Whitley’s attacking play. To combat this,
the Sharks immediately piled the pressure onto starting netminder Boyle to make
the early stages of the game both fast and fiery, with Solway’s Connor
Henderson particularly under fire as the Warriors immediately set a precedent. As
a result, it was not long before the Hillheads outfit found themselves shorthanded,
forward Alan Yarrow the first to head to the sin bin on 4:34 for interference. Killing
the penalty, the Warriors remained undaunted by the challenge ahead as Barnes made
his presence known to Sharks’ netminder Calum Hepburn twenty eight seconds
later only to find himself joining his team mate in the penalty box for boarding.
Working hard to kill these penalties now that Solway found themselves on a
five-on-three power play, Yarrow returned to the ice only for Payette to take
his place two seconds later as the enforcer was considered to be guilty of
roughing. This situation taking its toll on the Warriors, it was not long after
Barnes returned to the ice that Solway finally capitalised, stand-in captain
James Hutchinson working the puck well in Whitley’s crowded defensive zone to
see a scramble in front of the net result in Daniel Abercrombie punishing Boyle following a pass from forward Connor Henderson. Though taking
the lead, the Sharks were forced to continue their battle for possession
against the Warriors, with forward Martin Crammond working hard to create some
opportunities for his side whilst youngsters Jamie Ord, Anthony Wetherell and
Ross Douglass drove into Solway’s defensive zone as they turned their
attentions to Hepburn’s net. These efforts
could not prevent play returning to Solway’s control as the short
benched team continued to go from strength to strength before doubling their
lead on 16:20; this time forward Marc Fowley winning the faceoff to slip the
puck to young prospect Duncan Speirs who rocketed a shot beyond Boyle to make
it 2-0 ahead of the interval.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Setting out in search
of a goal in the second stanza, the Warriors were hoping to convert their
possession, significantly increasing their efforts on Hepburn’s net to see the
shot stopper tested from the outset whilst the Sharks continued
their offensive play with hopes of placing greater distance between themselves
and the Hillheads outfit. Though the persistence of forwards Callum Watson,
Shaun Kippin, DJ Good and Barnes was yet to pay off, the Warriors enjoyed some
prolonged possession in Solway’s offensive zone to come close to scoring on
several occasions whilst contending with troublesome youngster Darren Stattersfield who slashed blue liner Joe Stamp. Clearing the puck from Whitley’s defensive
zone, Stamp then grappled with the Shark in retaliation. Following this confrontation, Stattersfield was then
confronted by Barnes who was sent back to the bench only for Payette to discuss
the matter in his captain’s place. Finally facing off, the Warriors took
possession of the puck and showed tenacity to get on the scoresheet as Watson danced past Solway’s defence to reap the rewards after a neat pass from young
defenceman Liam Smedley. Any hopes of a comeback for the home team were soon hanging in the balance when play switched back to Whitley’s defensive zone, only for Stattersfield
to link up with Miettinen who picked out Speirs in front of Boyle’s net to
allow the forward to collect his second goal of the game with just over two
minutes of the period remaining.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Disappointed to be
trailing by two goals to the Sharks, the Warriors’ fast-paced start to the
third period was largely down to Payette making the most of his ice time due to
this encounter potentially being his final game at Hillheads. Exhibiting his usual
intensity and power with even more fervour, the enforcer was eager to claim a
goal for his team and came close to being rewarded for his efforts only for the
puck to trickle wide of the post. At the other end of the ice, Solway were not
without their own attempts on goal as Fowley, Speirs and Hutchinson were
amongst those testing netminder Rory Dunn who had taken Boyle’s place at the start of the period to gain some ice time. Their
passing play exceptional and their efforts on goal relentless, it was little
surprise when the Sharks capitalised on 52:04 as Scott Henderson achieved his first
cup goal of the season to make it 4-1, with Stattersfield and Slovakian import
Juraj Senko on hand to assist. However, this goal was overshadowed by yet
another misdemeanour from Stattersfield, the youngster slashing Warrior Lawson
Glasby in the build up to this goal. Angered by this incident, Kippin
confronted the Shark, only for Stattersfield to be met by Payette
who raced from the bench to serve up some rough justice of his own. Still infuriated
by Stattersfield’s actions, Kippin picked up a ten minute misconduct penalty
before being ejected from the game, as well as incurring an additional match penalty for
purportedly head-butting as he left the ice. Payette, on the other hand, then
picked up a match ban for fighting which was soon followed up with a ten minute
misconduct penalty for Yarrow as a result of the forward’s reaction to the incident. These
penalties extinguishing Whitley’s fire, the Warriors watched on as Stattersfield teamed up with youngster Kieran Hair just minutes later to send
Fowley through on goal with success. Thirty one seconds later, Fowley found the
target again, this time Speirs and Miettinen picking up assists to put the points
firmly beyond the Warriors’ reach. Clashing with Fowley soon after, Watson was
sinbinned for holding as he pulled the goal scorer to the ice. This penalty
running into the final minute of the game, Solway were able to see out their
6-1 victory without difficulty to return to Dumfries with three
points from this North Cup clash.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Speaking after
Whitley’s difficult double header, player-coach David Longstaff noted: “The
players have worked hard and given everything. We’ve played a lot of players
who don’t get a lot of ice time and I thought our three kids were great.” Meanwhile, Solway’s Assistant Coach Scott
McMeeken told NIHL Northern Trio: “It’s
all about performance for us in these last few games on the run-in to playoffs
so we knew we had a few things to work on going into the game. I was really
pleased with how the guys did as Whitley is always a tough place to play,
particularly the young line of forwards we had. It was nice to score a few
power play goals too as we’ve not been great on the PP in the last few games.”
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