NIHL Weekend Action

Superb Sharks annihilate Hawks in final cup clash

Solway Sharks      10

Blackburn Hawks   0

Taking to the ice for the final home game of their season, Solway Sharks found themselves up against Steven Duncombe’s Blackburn Hawks who travelled with only fourteen skaters as netminder Stuart Ashton, forward Rick Bentham, suspended captain Ollie Lomax and defencemen Chris Butler and Reece Cairney-Witter all missed out on this fixture which was ultimately regarded with less importance than that of the Hawks’ upcoming league games with their attentions understandably focused on securing a place at playoff weekend. Solway, on the other hand, were missing only two-way player Jordan Buesa and forward Scott Henderson from their regular line-up and took to the ice with nothing to lose.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Facing off for the first period, Solway were able to make a confident start to this encounter, passing the puck well across the ice to try their luck against Blackburn’s backup netminder Niks Trapans. Meanwhile, the Hawks were as equally enthusiastic to make their mark on their game, utilising the fervour and dexterity of youngsters Owen Woods, Daniel Sanderson and Harry Mercer, as well as the experience of forward Aaron Davies and Slovakian left winger Jozef Istocy, to contend with sturdy shot stopper Calum Hepburn who saw off the best of Blackburn’s shots to ensure his team remained on level terms. Though outshooting the visitors by fifteen shots to ten, with forwards Joe Coulter, Connor Henderson, Duncan Speirs, left winger Steven Moore and captain Struan Tonnar amongst those setting their sights on goal, the Sharks were unable to make any of these scoring opportunities count whilst the Hawks were also no further forward in the contest as they continued their battle for possession. With neither a single goal or penalty minute recorded in the first period, both teams went in with the deadlock intact but hopeful that they could change this after the first interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice for the second stanza, the Sharks were eager to make the most of their chances having failed to do so in the opening period but again, shot stopper Trapans calmly dealt with Solway’s efforts to ensure his team did not fall behind in the early stages of the middle section. Despite this, the Sharks continued to pose a threat in front of goal and it was not long before the Dumfries outfit were able to hit the back of the net; young prospect Daniel Abercrombie opening the scoring on 28:27 when Moore linked up with defenceman Kim Miettinen to send the forward through on goal with great success. Disappointed to concede having held on so long, the Hawks recovered themselves quickly to test Hepburn but to no avail and the visitors were soon under fire once more as alternate captain Ross Murray slipped the puck to Tonnar to allow two-way player Ben Edmonds to bury his shot beyond Trapans approximately five minutes after their first goal. The momentum now with the home team, it was little surprise that Solway began their search for a third goal and, after several chances, capitalised as Moore teamed up with defenceman Stuart Kerr to see Miettinen find the target with less than two minutes remaining in the period. Shortly afterwards, referee David Emmerson handed out the first penalty of the game as Shark Darren Stattersfield headed to the sinbin for a high sticks offence on 39:20 to leave his team shorthanded going into the final period of the game.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Looking to overturn their three goal deficit, the Hawks were hopeful that they could claw their way back into the game but Solway proved to have other ideas and returned to full strength, only to extend their lead around two minutes later when Moore slotted home courtesy of Abercrombie and Henderson to add to Blackburn’s woes. Having failed to make the most of their first power play, Blackburn were presented with a second chance to find a goal with the additional man when Tonnar made way for holding on 47:37 but the visitors were reduced to four men themselves just nine seconds later when forward Aaron Davies was sinbinned for tripping. As a result, it did not take long for the Sharks to make it 5-0, this time defenceman James Hutchinson printing his name on the scoresheet with help from Speirs and fellow blue liner Juraj Senko. Switching Trapans for Daniel Morris after this goal, the netminder had no sooner taken his place than he was picking the puck from his net as Miettinen and Speirs collected their second assists of the evening when they arrived in support of forward Marc Fowley who worked the puck past Blackburn’s defence to add a sixth to the scoreboard. Just sixteen seconds later, Abercrombie found Moore whose quick-thinking allowed Henderson to unleash a shot which flew past Morris to leave the Hawks even more bewildered. Just over two minutes after this goal, matters were made worse for the visitors when defenceman Nick Oliver was called to the sinbin for delaying the game. This provided the Sharks with a power play that they were all too happy to take advantage of as Senko threaded a neat pass to Tonnar who made it 8-0 with just fifteen seconds of Oliver’s penalty served. With Blackburn well and truly out of this contest, Solway continued their domination; a goal from Senko on 57:50, setup by Speirs and Coulter, and a second for Moore thirty seconds later saw the side file from the ice with a 10-0 win to leave the travelling Hawks utterly deflated. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking after this game, Solway’s captain Struan Tonnar shared his views on the Sharks’ last home game of the season and what a win over Blackburn Hawks meant to the Dumfries outfit: “Saturday was good for us to go out with a bit of style in front of our home fans. We know Blackburn travelled light of a few bodies but that didn’t change how we approached the game. The game didn’t count for anything for anyone but it was important that we nail down all the small things so that come playoffs we are ready to go. It was a bit of a one-sided affair but credit to the young players from Blackburn who don’t usually get a chance to skate with their first team. They came into our barn and skated well. Hopefully, they’ll be some faces we might see more often.”

Derby defeat for Stars as Warriors go out with win

Billingham Stars    3

Whitley Warriors    6

Playing host to Whitley Warriors for their final home game of the season, Billingham Stars found themselves significantly short benched for a second consecutive weekend, their absentee list including forwards James Moss, Jack Watkins and Jack Emerson as well as defencemen Andy Finn and Scott Cooper. Whitley, by comparison, had a far stronger squad at their disposal, knowing that this was a must-win game if they were to stand any chance of qualifying for playoff weekend, though this was always going to be a difficult task due the excellent form accomplished by Blackburn Hawks in recent weeks.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice for the first period, there was no mistaking the Warriors’ intentions as the team were quick off the mark to claim possession through alternate captain Jordan Barnes whose rapid link up play with Jamie Ord saw the youngster ping the puck from behind the net to fellow forward Ben Richards who was perfectly placed to fire home with just thirty two seconds played. Off to a phenomenal start and showing no signs of letting up, Whitley continued to pile the pressure onto netminder James Flavell who found himself beaten thirty four seconds later, this time defenceman Josh Maddock racing into Billingham’s defensive zone to find Callum Watson whose clever play allowed long-serving Warrior DJ Good to swiftly find the back of the net. Continuing swift line changes to build on this early momentum and intensity, the Warriors remained in control of the game much to the concern of hosts Billingham Stars who were left stunned by their immediate deficit. Whitley’s hard work did not end there however, making the side deserving of a third goal which arrived on 7:11 as Good turned assist for Watson alongside captain Dean Holland to see his line mate hit the target and subsequently prompt a timeout from Stars’ Head Coach Terry Ward. Aiming to bounce back from this hugely disappointing start to their last home game of the season, the Stars resumed play with the objective of grabbing a goal and it was not long after that Richie Lawson found himself tested one too many times; Billingham’s player-coach Michael Bowman slipping beyond Whitley’s blue line with support from forward Chris Sykes and experienced defenceman Richie Thornton to achieve his thirteenth league goal of the season. Though slowly creeping back into the game to appear more dangerous than before, the Stars were unable to contend with the Warriors as the pace and power of Whitley’s play cut short their chances on goal despite the best efforts of Swedish import Dennis Boström and fellow forwards Michael Elder, Callum Davies and Sykes to name but a few. Handed a power play on 17:05 when Warrior Watson incurred the first penalty of the game for holding, the Stars were hopeful that they could achieve a goal with the additional man but David Longstaff’s men were incredibly effective on the penalty kill ahead of the break to allow the side to file from the ice with a 3-1 lead at the first interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Hoping to continue from where they left off in the first period, the Warriors were disappointed to concede another penalty just thirteen seconds in when power forward Barnes was shown to the sin bin for boarding to reduce Whitley to four men once again. In spite of this penalty, the Warriors resolved to prevent the Stars from scoring, instead the visitors appearing dangerous themselves as they set out to challenge backup netminder Mark Watson who iced in place of Flavell, the first choice shot stopper unable to return due to illness. Again missing the opportunity to punish the Warriors on the power play, Billingham were able to increase their shots on Lawson’s goal but the netminder pulled off some fantastic saves to keep his team comfortably ahead. Some impressive work from Whitley’s young forwards paid off once again for the Warriors when Richards threaded a slick pass to Barnes who rushed towards the Stars’ defence to pick out Ord, the youngster on hand to net his first senior goal for the Hillheads outfit in spectacular style, having only played three games for the side this season. The Warriors celebrations did not last long however as, just over a minute later, defenceman Ross Hanlon integrated Swedish import Daniel Palmebjörk into play, the forward racing down the wing to zip a pass into blue liner Ben Davison who made it 4-2 just before the halfway point in the period. Soon after, the Warriors suffered a setback when Maddock incurred a minor penalty for tripping on 33:16 to leave his side shorthanded. Making several attempts to reduce their deficit further, the Stars were unsuccessful in this instance due to Whitley’s hardworking defence and some exceptional saves from Lawson but a holding call against blue liner Harry Harley saw the Warriors reduced to four men once again and, with just thirty eight seconds left to serve on this penalty, Longstaff’s line-up conceded a third goal as the Stars narrowed the gap between the two teams; this time Boström on hand to slot past Lawson following build up play from Sykes and Elder. Though buoyed by their efforts to get back on track, it was the Stars’ turn to award their visitors a power play when a high sticks offence from Bowman against Holland on 39:19 saw the Warriors make the most of their advantage to capitalise just twenty seven seconds later as Harley made amends for his earlier misdemeanour to pick out Good who was able to assist line mate Watson for a second time as the forward achieved his twentieth league goal of the season to restore his team’s two-goal cushion prior to the third period.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The score line 5-3 going into the final stanza of the game, the Warriors were eager to maintain their lead whilst the Stars were aiming for a victory ahead of playoff weekend, though their short bench had taken its toll from the off. Making another strong start, the Warriors continued to show flashes of brilliance and, as a result, Watson and his defence were unable to prevent Whitley from scoring on 44:51, this time Richards working with Watson to setup Holland who steered his way through Billingham’s blue liners to establish a three-goal gap between themselves and their local rivals. A holding penalty for defenceman Liam Smedley soon after provided the Stars with a power play but again, outstanding netminding and efficient work in defence allowed Longstaff’s team to return to full strength unscathed. Striving for a goal in spite of this, the Stars were not without chances of their own with Sykes, Boström and Bowman amongst those trying their luck but once again exceptional work from netminder Lawson and sturdy play from Whitley’s defence ensured that the Warriors retained control of the game. With no change to the score line, though this was not for the want of trying from both teams, the Warriors were forced to see out the clash shorthanded when Lawson Glasby picked up two minutes for holding in the final minute of the game but this made no difference as the visitors ran down the clock to achieve a 6-3 victory. Though this result was not enough to allow Whitley Warriors to qualify for playoff weekend, with Blackburn Hawks defeating Solihull Barons 6-4 at Hobs Moat Road on the same evening, the side were more than happy to see their season out with a win over the Teessiders who can now turn their attentions to their season finale at Ice Sheffield on the 8 April. Speaking after the Warriors’ success over their local rivals, player-coach David Longstaff noted: “Last night was an exciting derby game for the fans and I was pleased with the result but, more importantly, we won with a lot of really young players getting ice time.”

Honours even in Deeside as Dragons’ fire earns McKenzie’s men a lifeline

The Dragons            4

Solway Sharks        4

Travelling without youngsters Jordan Buesa and Darren Stattersfield who join Head Coach Martin Grubb for the Under 18s World Championships in Korea, Solway Sharks found themselves with a strong squad in spite of these absentees as they lined up against the Dragons’ twenty-man team which included netminders Denis Bell and Matthew Compton. Facing the prospect of relegation, losing was not an option for the Welsh outfit if they were to fight another season in the Moralee Conference whilst the visitors were hopeful that they could continue their excellent form to conclude their season with yet another victory.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon

Determined not to give up on their place in NIHL North’s Moralee Conference, the Dragons took to the ice to demonstrate their usual pace, power and punchiness in their fight for survival, knowing that they must gain at least a point from the contest to ensure their chances of competing in Division One next season were very much alive after the final buzzer. Whilst player-coach Scott McKenzie, Slovakian import Filip Supa and captain James Parsons were amongst those striving for a goal to send the home team into the lead in the early stages of the game, Solway battled for possession with difficulty as the Sharks endeavoured to adjust to the Dragons’ style of play. In consequence, it was not long before the deadlock was broken, the skill of Supa shining through as the forward surpassed Solway’s defence to find the back of the net following a well-worked pass from McKenzie. Continuing to persevere, the Sharks tried their luck against netminder Bell but the Welsh outfit remained composed when under pressure to see off the best of Solway’s attempts. A slashing penalty for Dragon Geoff Wigglesworth on 15:50 handed the visitors a chance to draw level on the power play but McKenzie’s team saw off the Sharks’ attacking play to return to full strength unscathed. Shortly afterwards, it was the turn of forward Connor Henderson to sit out as the Sharks served a minor for interference just over a minute later to see the advantage change hands. Working hard to prevent the Deeside-based team from scoring another, alternate captain James Hutchinson and his fellow defencemen remained in control on the penalty kill to ensure that Solway’s deficit was not doubled ahead of the interval. With less than two minutes remaining in the period, McKenzie was next to warm a seat in the sin bin as the player-coach was considered guilty of hooking to see his team reduced to four men with just one second of the Sharks’ penalty left to play.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

As a result, the Dumfries outfit saw out the period on a power play which ran into the second stanza and it was only on their return to the ice that the Sharks were finally able to secure the equaliser they had been searching for as blue liner Kim Miettinen teamed up with Joe Coulter to allow hardworking forward Marc Fowley to achieve his eighth league goal of the season just twenty nine seconds in. Relieved to have a goal to their name after a shaky start, assistant coach Scott McMeeken ensured his team did not stop there and as such, it was little surprise when defenceman Stuart Kerr played the puck to forward Duncan Speirs who hit the target on 26:58 to provide his team with the lead for the first time in the game. Disappointed to have slipped behind in the contest, the Dragons continued to set their sights on Calum Hepburn’s net but their efforts were not enough to reduce the narrow gap between the two teams as Solway began to exhibit the quality that they have been capable of all season. A delayed penalty against junior Louis Morgan on 33:55 allowed the Sharks to make the most of their possession, this time Slovakian defenceman Juraj Senko on hand to make it 3-1 sixteen seconds later as youngster Daniel Abercrombie notched an assist. Sensing that they had the upper hand at this point in the period, the Sharks were quick to add another to their tally as a well-worked unassisted effort from Speirs enhanced Solway’s lead to cause great concern for their opposition who began to feel their place in the Moralee Conference slipping from their grasp. It was not long after though that the home team were thrown a lifeline as a boarding penalty conceded by Kerr awarded McKenzie’s men the additional man. Moving the puck around Solway’s defensive zone, Supa played a pass to his player-coach before possession made its way to Parsons who netted on 38:23 to chip away at Solway’s three-goal cushion prior to the break.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice for the final period, the Dragons were spurred on by their second goal and were eager to claw their way back into the game, knowing that anything less than a draw would see the side automatically relegated from Division One. In the opening moments of the period, the home team hunted for their next goal with determination to eventually place the puck beyond Hepburn with less than five minutes of the third period played; Supa once again finding himself on the scoresheet with support from McKenzie as the duo reaped the rewards of their hard work to allow the Dragons to go within one of the Sharks who were stunned by this sudden change of fortune for the Welsh outfit. Only just outshooting Solway, the spirited Dragons were irrepressible in their quest for survival to make life difficult for their opposition but a hooking call against defenceman Ross Kennedy hampered the side’s offensive chances as the team pulled together to keep the Sharks at bay. Though the score line was still a tentative 4-3 in the closing stages of the game, the Dragons did not give up hope as they put Hepburn to the test and were finally able to celebrate an equaliser when former Hawk Jordan Bannon fired home on 58:04 courtesy of his player-coach who was able to claim his fourth assist of the evening as a result of some neat play from alternate captain Matthew Wainwright. The scoreboard now reading 4-4, the Dragons called a timeout to discuss the importance of holding onto their point as well as the possibility of reclaiming their lead but as the game entered its final minute, Solway followed suit to call a timeout of their own. Resuming play, the Sharks eventually opted to pull shot stopper Hepburn from his net as they faced off in their offensive zone but, Solway’s net empty for only sixteen seconds, the Dragons had little opportunity to make the most of this and it was not long after that the final buzzer called time on the game to confirm the sides’ 4-4 draw. Commenting after this game, Sharks’ assistant coach Scott McMeeken shared his thoughts on Solway’s clash with the Dragons: “We got off to a really slow start tonight and struggled to adapt to The Dragons’ style of play then in the second period we stepped it up a gear and showed our quality on the puck with some well-taken goals. Credit to Scott McKenzie and his team though; they hung around and made us pay for some sloppy defensive play to earn a point that they deserved. That’s our regular season done now and we know we have to work on a few things to prepare for that puck drop in two weeks’ time for the playoffs in Sheffield. As a team, we will be ready and focused on that semi-final.”

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