NIHL Weekend Action

Highflying Hawks soar to claim victory

over Stars

Blackburn Hawks 10

Billingham Stars     0

With aspirations of a playoff spot, Billingham Stars went into this game aware that they would have their work cut out against Daniel MacKriel’s Blackburn Hawks who have produced a great deal of quality to earn their position at the top of the league this season. Travelling without the injured Paul Windridge, Michael Bowman and Jamie Pattison, the Stars were also without blue liners Will Robson and Richie Thornton, forward Jack Emmerson and first choice netminder James Flavell.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Yet, taking to the ice for the first period, the Teesiders were able to match the Hawks’ speed and skill to make the game a very even contest in the opening minutes, the visitors quickly finding themselves on the power play courtesy of a Tom King charging penalty. The Stars, unable to find the first goal of the game with this advantage, and little separating the Lancashire hosts from their fifth placed opposition, MacKriel’s men eventually went on the attack and they soon reaped their rewards as Canadian import RJ Berra and forward Lee Pollitt made an effort to send Adam Brittle through on Mark Watson’s goal. Successfully slotting the puck past the netminder, Brittle gave the Hawks a narrow lead which was rapidly added to as Richard Bentham fired an unassisted shot home to make it 2-0 just twenty six seconds later. Hit hard by these successive goals, the Stars were unable to find a response, though they were handed an opportunity late in the first period when two man system Steve Wardell and Craig Davison sin binned Blackburn’s Finnish import Kim Miettinen for a cross check. Despite this second power play, Terry Ward’s side could not find a way past Hawks’ netminder Stuart Ashton, leaving the Stars with a two goal deficit to overturn going in at the break.

With play resumed for the second period, the Stars returned with a view to get on the score sheet but any chance of this was significantly reduced when Jack Davies was called to serve time for hooking. Unwilling to imitate the shortcomings of their opponents, the Hawks ensured that their additional skater was put to good use. With just one second of the power play remaining, Miettinen was able to hit the target for the home side to make it 3-0, defenceman Max Drakeley and player-coach MacKriel with the assists. Just over a minute later, Aaron Davies lit the lamp to punish the Stars further, this time alternate captain Matt Viney on hand to turn the puck towards his teammate. At the halfway point of the period, these roles were reversed, Davies linking up with King before a neat pass to Viney saw the centre snatch a fifth for his side.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The Stars failing to make a lasting impression on Ashton’s net, the Teesiders were given some reprieve when Drakeley was directed to the sin bin for a tripping offence. As before, Billingham could not put the puck past Ashton as the side struggled to create opportunities in front of goal and it was Blackburn who capitalised instead when a shorthanded attempt from Adam Brittle flew into Stars’ goal. A slashing penalty for Miettinen was delivered in the final minutes of the period before Hawks headed in at the interval with a six goal cushion shielding the two points from the Stars.

Returning for the final instalment, Billingham knew that a victory was increasingly beyond their reach and this was further confirmed on 42:25 when Ben Simister and Bentham offered support to Miettinen for his second goal of the game. A little over four minutes later, Watson was again picking the puck out of his net as James Riddoch achieved his fifth assist of the season with a tidy pass to Viney who launched a shot over the red line to make it 8-0. With no way back for the Stars, Blackburn continued to dominate, grabbing another before forty eight minutes had been played, Adam Brittle working in unison with Chris Butler to hand Berra an opportunity; the forward did not miss his mark to make it nine and to simultaneously punish the despondent Stars further. Subsequent to this goal, Billingham made the decision to switch Watson for young netminder Ben Gill, his predecessor having played on with an injury sustained during the game. This change could made little difference to the final result however, the Hawks taking the score line into double figures to end their onslaught on 57:26, courtesy of another from Davies.

Fifty five shots were fired at Billingham’s netminders over the course of the evening in comparison to the twenty encountered by Ashton throughout, suggesting that the Stars’ lack of creative gameplay contributed to their landslide defeat ahead of their fixture against Solway Sharks at the Forum.

Victory for Whitley as Warriors grapple with Sharks

Solway Sharks    1

Whitley Warriors 2

Going into this game with a great deal of confidence after last weekend’s successes, both teams took to the ice with a strong desire to win. Making the trip with twenty skaters and two netminders, Whitley started with Richie Lawson between the pipes whilst young forward Callum Queenan, who had been unavailable to ice for the side against Telford Tigers, made his return to David Longstaff’s line up. Likewise, Solway also began with a tough squad, though Club Captain Alan Crane missed out once again due to an injury sustained last month and shot stopper Kieran Hobbins took to the net in place of Andrew Jaszczyk.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Following the first faceoff, it was clear that both teams were very much up for the contest and were not about to lose the points without a fight. Yet, it was not long before the deadlock was broken, a neat pass from power forward Jordan Barnes finding David Longstaff who scored with a fantastic wrap around on 5:02. Just over five minutes later, the Warriors found themselves shorthanded as captain Jamie Tinsley was sin binned by two man system David Emmerson and Michael Evans for hooking. Unable to capitalise on the power play, Solway watched as the visitors returned to full strength, Whitley having produced some excellent defensive work on the penalty kill. Whilst the Sharks created some good offensive play to test Lawson, the Warriors notched five more shots on goal than the home side. Despite this, Longstaff’s line up were unable to add to their tally and, as the Dumfries outfit could not draw level, the score line remained 1-0 in Whitley’s favour as the teams headed in at the break.

Going into the second period, Martin Grubb’s Sharks returned to the ice with hopes of equalising but the task proved to be trickier than first imagined as the Warriors put on a sturdy defensive display. However, with much perseverance, the Sharks finally piled enough pressure onto Lawson to slot the puck past the netminder, Iain Bowie accomplishing his fourth goal of the season on 33:19 with support from forward Joe Coulter and blue liner Aidan Fulton. With the stalemate once again resuming, the opponents continued to struggle against each other, both finding it equally difficult to break the other down. The interval called time on play which saw the Dumfries outfit back on level terms with their visitors.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With nothing to separate the sides as the final period began, the points were most definitely all to play for. Yet, with such a close contest unfolding, the arrival of the next goal was far quicker than expected and it was ironically scored by former Shark Adam Reynolds who was sent through on Hobbins’ net by hardworking forward Dean Holland. The score 2-1, the Sharks battled back to try their luck but to no avail, eventually finding themselves a man down on 54:31 when James Wallace was sent to the sin bin for a slashing offence. Warriors’ power play lasted all of twenty one seconds however, as an interference call on Harry Harley saw the defenceman serve two minutes. With both teams back to full strength, but unable to light the lamp in the time remaining, Grubb opted to pull Hobbins from his net with thirty seconds left to play. The additional skater made little impact for the home side as the Warriors continued to defend their lead exceptionally well to take two points from the Ice Bowl ahead of their game against the Spartans on Sunday.

Commenting on the game, Martin Grubb told NIHL Northern Trio: “I didn’t quite think we deserved to lose but we didn’t quite do enough to win the game. Whitley came and made the game tough as we knew they would. Both goalies played well and I can’t be unhappy at our work rate but we did need to be more clinical in front of the net. We were aggrieved with the way that the winner was scored but I asked the boys to show character and ensure we got the win on Sunday.”

Whitley take two in clash with Spartans

Whitley Warriors       3

Sheffield Spartans    1

Hoping to gain as many points as possible to reduce the distance between themselves and reigning champions Blackburn Hawks, Whitley Warriors took to the ice with lines that had been tinkered with by player-coach David Longstaff. Unable to ice for the home side were Alex Lawson, Phil Pritchard, Ben Richards, Stu Tomlinson and netminder Jordan Boyle whilst Spartans’ junior Cole Shudra, forward Tom Parkinson, up and coming star Liam Kirk and shot stopper Matthew Croyle were amongst those unavailable to travel with the visitors.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

Starting at a fast pace and switching from one line to the next at a rapid rate, the Warriors began well, finding a goal in the first two minutes when Dean Holland and Harry Harley created some good build up play to find Longstaff who buried the puck in Brandon Stones’ net. Six and a half minutes later, the puck was again slotted past netminder Stones as the Warriors continued their application of pressure on Sheffield’s defence, this time captain Jamie Tinsley on target for the home side with support from Jordan Barnes. Subsequent to this goal, the visitors immediately went on the offensive to successfully light the lamp, versatile Spartan Andrew Turner hitting home to make it 2-1, Chris Wilcox and Elliot Knell with the assists.

The score line now too close for comfort, Longstaff urged his men to go on the attack. Stones finally endured one challenge too many to concede on 11:19, forward Martin Crammond neatly setting up blue liner Joe Stamp for an unmistakeable long range shot which did not miss its mark.

Soon after, Longstaff took time to avenge a hard hit with one of his own and was made to pay a two minute penalty for roughing. A strong penalty kill for the Warriors kept the tricky visitors at bay but Whitley were soon under pressure again, Longstaff taking a second roughing penalty which ran over the break and into the second period.

With Sheffield unable to capitalise, the Warriors returned to full strength unscathed but some technically scrappy play ensued with neither side able to break down the other’s defence. Handed a power play around the thirty minute mark of the game, following unsportsmanlike conduct from defenceman Josh Maddock, the Spartans failed to reduce their two goal deficit to one and the second period concluded with the score line unchanged. However, as the teams filed from the ice after the buzzer, a clash between Knell and experienced Warrior Alan Yarrow broke out, resulting in penalties for both on their return.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon

Whilst Yarrow was handed a 2+10 misconduct, of which the minor penalty was served by skilled junior Liam Smedley, Knell incurred two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. Four on four ice hockey ensued but, just twenty nine seconds into this punishment, the Warriors became shorthanded, inviting a bench penalty as a result of too many men on the ice. Again, the Spartans were unable to take full advantage of this time and, with both teams eventually restored to five men, Martin White’s line up soon suffered further penalty trouble, forward Will Barron receiving a minor hooking penalty. Try as they might, the home side could not extend their lead further and it was not long before they repeated their earlier misdemeanour, icing too many men in the fiftieth minute to be forced onto the penalty kill. Despite this last opportunity, and numerous shots fired at Lawson, Sheffield could not make their chances count in much the same way that Whitley’s offensive play was cancelled out by the Spartans’ strong blue liners.

Speaking after the game, player-coach Longstaff told NIHL Northern Trio: “I thought we were great on Saturday and average on Sunday. Sunday was the first game in ages we all tried to do our own thing. I tinkered with the lines because we are going to be missing some players in the coming weeks so I’m trying to get the team ready for that.” Whitley Warriors next face Sutton Sting on away ice before an all-important derby day clash with Billingham Stars on Sunday at Hillheads. Longstaff’s line up are now five points away from the NIHL’s top spot with a game in hand on the Hawks but, as Solihull Barons continue to prove challenging, Whitley will have to ensure that they continue to pick up points to avoid a slip into third position over the next few weeks.

Sharks snap up points on Teesside as Stars fall short

Billingham Stars   7

Solway Sharks      4

It was one of the most important games of the season and one which both teams wanted to start in the best possible way so needless to say that Head Coaches Martin Grubb and Terry Ward  began the game with strong line ups, with Michael Bowman making his return for Billingham, though there were players missing from both team sheets. Paul Windridge, Scott Ward, Jamie Pattison and netminder James Flavell were amongst the Stars’ absentees whilst Solway played without defencemen Craig Mitchell, Frazer Goldie and Jamie Scott, forward Michael Corbett and the injured Alan Crane.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

With a great deal at stake due to the current league positions occupied by either side, both teams threw themselves into the game but it was the Stars who got off to the better start, Jack Emmerson striking the puck low following some effective build up play from captain Andy Munroe and player-assistant coach Bowman who immediately involved himself in the game following his return from injury. The opening stanza was not without its share of fieriness however, and successive tripping offences from Star Andy Finn on 15:09 and Sharks’ captain Struan Tonnar saw four on four ice hockey ensue. With an attempt from Solway’s Duncan Speirs, it was clear that the visitors were creeping back into the game and it was little surprise when the side drew level courtesy of the youngster who was helped onto the score sheet by skilful Shark Iain Bowie.

Just over two minutes later, Solway were able to take the lead when the puck fell to blue liner Stuart Andrews from a successful faceoff, Slovakian import Martin Cingel and forward Marc Fowley with the assists. Just when Billingham felt their luck could not get any worse, the Teesiders conceded another fifty five seconds later, Tonnar setting up Cingel in the last minute of the game.

Losing their early lead late in the first period, the Stars returned to the ice with hopes of an overhaul and it began to look possible for the home side when,  almost three minutes into the middle section, goal scorer Emerson turned assist for Jack Davies who hit the puck past Hobbins to make it 3-2.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Soon after, Sharks’ Ross Murray was ordered to warm a seat in the sin bin by referee Steve Brown for a charging offence and, in the moments that followed, Jack Davies suffered an alleged slash across the back from Solway’s latest signing James Wallace which saw the Billingham forward head to hospital. With the Stars on the power play due to Murray’s previous offence, Ward’s side were sure to capitalise, Chris Sykes and Dennis Boström on hand to see Thomas Keeley light the lamp.

Three apiece, Billingham’s Luke Brown incurred a ten minute misconduct penalty having made his feelings clear to Wallace but, shortly afterwards, Bowie was able to tear the Stars’ defence apart to allow the Dumfries outfit to go ahead once again. Player-assistant coach Richie Thornton joined Brown in the sin bin after a call for a cross check went against him but, seconds later, Joe Coulter was made to serve time for interference which meant the sides were now even handed. One last penalty in the period saw Finn side lined for delaying the game and, as neither team could find the net, it was the Sharks who went in at the break with the upper hand.

Going into the final instalment with a single goal between them, both teams were aware that Solway’s 4-3 lead was a fragile one. It was perhaps this sentiment which prompted Solway to act in the early stages of the period, some clever play from Steven Moore allowing Cingel to hit home a superb effort on 41:18. Just over a minute later, Solway’s 5-3 lead was further added to, this time Bowie and Speirs linking up to send Coulter past the Stars’ defence to find the back of the net.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Slashing penalties for either side saw Brown and Tonnar sent to the box for two minutes but, it was only when both sides had returned to full strength that the Stars struck, Michael Elder slipping a pass to Thornton who went on to achieve his second goal of the season. With the score line 6-3, the Stars needed to embark on an almighty comeback if they were to take anything from the game but a minor slashing penalty from Cingel was not enough to deter the visitors. Remaining calm on the penalty kill, the Sharks were restored to five men only to hit the target again in the last two minutes of the game, Murray on hand to make the most of creative play from Moore and Slovakian defenceman Juraj Senko to bury the Teesiders hopes.

Star Chris Sykes took time to reflect on Billingham’s clash with Solway, saying: “This weekend didn’t go our way at all; nothing went how we wanted it to. We went to Blackburn with two lines and lots of guys carrying knocks. Watto [Mark Watson] was playing in goal and then he hurt his ankle and that put his mind on other things. We just couldn’t handle it with the amount of guys and knocks we took. But we brushed it under the cobbles as they say and, on Sunday, we knew we were ready for a battle. And it was just that. Unfortunately, again, it didn’t go our way which is gutting and the way Solway acted about a certain situation made it even worse of a feeling. I don’t mind losing, everyone goes through it but the cheap shots they took were out of hand. That’s not what hockey is about. We had a bad weekend. But anyway, back to training this week and hopefully we have a big weekend ahead of us again. Every game from here on in for us is massive!”

Also happy to share his views subsequent to his team’s victory, Martin Grubb reported: “It was a mixed weekend results wise for us and we were disappointed not to get something out of the Warriors game. Tonight, I thought we started a little slow after putting so much into last night’s game but then we started to do the little things well and finish our chances to allow us to play with a lead. We took a few silly penalties to allow Billingham back into the game but showed our character to edge back in front and lead after two. I asked the players to ensure we did whatever we needed to do to win the game in the third and we came out flying. Early goals gave us a comfortable margin and the insurance marker at the end sealed the win. Overall I am happy we bounced back and gained two huge points in the playoff battle but we need to take each game as it comes and keep winning. I would like to wish Jack Davies a speedy recovery after being taking to hospital tonight and all at Solway Sharks wish him well.”

Both teams are in action again next weekend with Solway Sharks set to take on Sheffield Senators on Saturday whilst Billingham Stars will play Sheffield Spartans on the same day followed by a much-anticipated Tyne-Tees derby at Hillheads. 

For more photos from IceHockeyMedia, please visit: http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/.

NIHL Weekend Preview

WEEKEND

PREVIEW

NIHL NORTH DIVISION 1 MORALEE CONFERENCE

Saturday 23rd January 2016

Blackburn Hawks vs. Billingham Stars

Solway Sharks vs. Whitley Warriors

Sunday 24th January 2016

Whitley Warriors vs. Sheffield Spartans

Billingham Stars vs. Solway Sharks

With Solway Sharks set to face Whitley Warriors and Billingham Stars in back-to-back fixtures, this weekend promises to be highly enthralling on all levels with much at stake for all teams concerned.  

Terry Ward’s Billingham Stars will be the first to faceoff on Saturday as his team prepare to face league leaders Blackburn Hawks; the Teesiders last encountering Daniel MacKriel’s side in a 5-2 league defeat to the Lancashire outfit back in December. Though missing Paul Windridge and Jamie Pattison due to long term injury, player-assistant coach Michael Bowman could make his return this weekend, all being well in training, and it is likely that Jack Davies, who was rested last Sunday after taking a knock against Sutton Sting, will be available for the trip.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Continuing their climb of the NIHL table, Billingham have made great progress in recent weeks and, though the side suffered defeat to Sutton Sting last weekend, the Stars picked up two points against Sheffield Senators to take them into fifth position. Closing in on the playoff spots, Billingham have a great opportunity this weekend to put pressure on Solihull Barons and Telford Tigers who are both just one point ahead of the Stars. With a four point weekend up for grabs, Ward’s line up could make it into third position should they win both of their fixtures and Solihull lose to either the Spartans or the Hawks. In recent weeks, the link up of Michael Elder, Chris Sykes and Callum Davies has been particularly important for Billingham with these three creative players collectively involved in nine of Stars’ goals over their last four games. Likewise, Swedish import Dennis Boström has also been incredibly influential, scoring a hat trick against Solihull Barons at Hobs Moat Road before snatching two against Sheffield Senators last Sunday. As Billingham’s highest points scorer this season, the right winger accumulating twenty two goals and ten assists to date, Boström will definitely be one to watch when it comes to the Stars’ offensive play against Blackburn on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Hawks have the perfect opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table this weekend and, should they triumph over Billingham on Saturday, and Solihull on Sunday, Blackburn will hit forty points to ensure a significant gap remains between themselves and the Warriors. Having lost uncharacteristically to Solway Sharks last weekend, MacKriel’s men will be hunting for a win to bounce back from this disappointment and with Richard Bentham, RJ Berra and Adam Brittle the NIHL’s top three points scorers at present, Billingham’s defence will be severely tested on Saturday as the Hawks intend to exhibit their goal scoring capacity in front of a home crowd. 

Taking the time to speak to NIHL Northern Trio, Stars’ player Chris Sykes expressed his views ahead of this weekend: “This weekend couldn’t be any more important: two of the biggest games of the season. Solway beat Blackburn last weekend so they’ll be on a positive but, first things first, we have Blackburn away on Saturday which is massive for us, and a win would see us jump into the playoff spots. Equally, on Sunday we need to dig deep and beat Solway at home and that’s two points up on them to push them further away from those all-important playoff spots at the end of the season. This weekend, there isn’t much really to put into words. We know as a group how big this weekend can be for us and we are in training this week, working on a few certain things which will hopefully see us take some points from both games this weekend.”

Prior to their game against the Stars on Teesside, Solway Sharks are set to play host to Whitley Warriors on Saturday evening before making the trip to The Forum on Sunday. Following their momentous win over Blackburn Hawks, the Sharks will take to the ice against the Hillheads outfit with the knowledge that they have already defeated the side at the Ice Bowl this season, claiming a 4-2 victory over the Warriors back in October, courtesy of goals from Struan Tonnar, Marc Fowley, Juraj Senko and Duncan Speirs.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Solway currently sit in seventh, having earned sixteen points in sixteen games. With several games in hand on their NIHL opposition, the Sharks need to win back-to-back games against two of their closest rivals this weekend, and require Sheffield Spartans to suffer two successive defeats, to finish the weekend one point away from sixth place. Starting 2016 with a landslide victory over Sheffield Senators, and working cohesively to defeat league leaders Blackburn Hawks, Solway have shown their strengths in recent games but the team need to build up a good run of form, having missed out on NIHL action in December due to adverse weather conditions. Whilst Solway have not let this interruption hold them back, the Sharks are in need of points if they are to make it into the playoff places by the end of their campaign.

Already occupying a playoff place at present, Whitley Warriors bounced back from a 4-3 loss against the Hawks to take two points from a short benched Telford Tigers last Sunday. With the Warriors exhibiting some neat ice hockey against the Shropshire side, and the Sharks showing resilience to beat Blackburn, an intense battle is likely to arise from the first face off as the teams go head to head for the third time this season.

With Slovakian import Martin Cingel back in Sharks’ line up following a broken collarbone, and Struan Tonnar, Steven Moore and Ross Murray all in form of late, Whitley’s defence should be up for a challenging sixty minutes on Saturday. Equally, the Warriors also have several goal scorers in their midst this season, with Shaun Kippin achieving a hat trick last weekend, and Callum Watson, Callum Queenan and Jamie Tinsley collectively hitting home thirty goals so far this campaign. Though Solway will be hunting for another much needed win to climb the NIHL table, Whitley require a victory if they are to stand any chance of closing the seven point gap between themselves and the Hawks, meaning Longstaff’s line-up will hope to triumph over Martin Grubb’s side.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The Warriors will then head back to Whitley Bay Ice Rink on Sunday for the second fixture of their double header, this time playing host to Sheffield Spartans who have proved unpredictable opposition throughout the season, winning ten games, losing eleven and drawing once against third placed Telford Tigers. With a draw, a victory and a loss making up Sheffield’s first three games of 2016, it is difficult to know how they will approach their latest fixture at Hillheads. Taking on the David Longstaff’s line up at Ice Sheffield in November, the Spartans were able to claim a 2-1 victory over the Warriors, captain Ollie Barron and Scott Morris with the goals. Head Coach Martin White also has an excellent talent in player-assistant coach Stuart Brittle who continues to pose a threat in front of goal as he utilises his EPL experience to the Spartans’ advantage. Playing the Spartans on home ice prior to this fixture, the Warriors displayed pace, power and punches against the Yorkshire outfit, hammering home six unanswered goals past Brandon Stones before forward Alan Yarrow and Spartan Stephen Weeks exchanged blows in the middle of the third period. As a result, this fixture has the potential to be a fiery one, with Sheffield Spartans requiring a victory to leap frog Billingham Stars to regain fifth position, and the Warriors hoping to pick up every point available to remain as close to the Hawks as they possibly can in the coming weeks. Player-coach Longstaff told NIHL Northern Trio: “This weekend will be very difficult against Solway and the Spartans. The last game we played against both teams, we lost so we know we’ll have our work cut out to win.”

Last but not least, Billingham Stars host close league rivals Solway Sharks at The Forum. Having already lost two league fixtures to the Stars this season, as well as an NIHL North Cup fixture at the end of November, Grubb will be hoping that the score line favours his side on this occasion. Despite these losses, a narrow gap of no more than two goals has separated the teams in the past, with the North Cup game settled by penalties, suggesting that fans will be in for another close contest on Sunday.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Whilst Solway’s defence will have to prevent Swedish import Dennis Boström from lighting the lamp, the Stars must contend with skilful Slovakian Martin Cingel who remains just one of Sharks’ greatest assets. As captain Struan Tonnar and his teammates aim for the playoff spots, with Ross Murray already indicating his team’s desire to make it into the top four in a recent interview with NIHL Northern Trio, the Stars will look to snatch the points from their rivals in a bid to stall Solway’s progression. With as many wins as they have losses, Grubb will urge his side to triumph over their closest rivals this weekend as the Sharks look to increase their chances of a playoff spot in the coming weeks.

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, Martin Grubb had the following to say about Solway’s latest fixtures: “We look forward to the visit of Whitley as we look to take the confidence from last weekend’s win into this game. We know it is another tough game against a very good team and we need to show that last weekend was not a one off. David Longstaff has done a great job, has his team playing well and has lots of depth in his team so he will want the points but we will be ready to stick to our game plan and battle for the win. The players all did their job last weekend, we have a great mood in the dressing room now and we are focused on another two points this weekend. Billingham are a team we are chasing and that will be another good game but we need to play smart and take our chances, and we hope for four points.”

For those fans hoping to make it to any of these games, Billingham Stars face Blackburn Hawks on Saturday at Blackburn Ice Arena from 5:45pm whilst Solway Sharks take on Whitley Warriors from 7:00pm at the Dumfries Ice Bowl. On Sunday, Whitley will then play host to Sheffield Spartans from 5:00pm whilst the Stars clash with the Sharks at The Forum from 6:30pm.

For more photos from IceHockeyMedia, please visit: http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/.

Team Talk

TEAM TALK

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

A great name in British Ice Hockey, Canadian import Andre Payette is one of Whitley Warriors’ most experienced players. Here’s how the former Elite League star has found life in the NIHL this season:

David Longstaff and yourself have had a huge impact on Whitley Warriors’ ice hockey club this season. Do you think the new additions to Whitley’s roster have been the key to the Warriors’ success this season?

David Longstaff is very experienced. He has played in Sweden and the North East has a great passion for ice hockey which goes back to the days of the Newcastle Vipers. We’re working with a great group of lads who’ve really come together and that’s down to David Longstaff’s ability as a no-nonsense coach.

What has been your highlight of the season so far?

The reception in the North East has been overwhelming. A lot of fans from our Newcastle Viper days have come to Whitley Bay to watch the sport. There is so much support out there for us. It’s crazy.

What has been your greatest disappointment?

I’m 39 and I’m not the player I was when I was 30 but we’re having a great season. I don’t think there has really been a disappointment this season. We’ve got a lot of good young players, like Callum Queenan, Kyle Hindmarsh-Ross, learning a lot from David Longstaff. I think he’s not the same standard of coach that they’re used to; he has a lot of experience and they can take a lot from that.

You’ve taken a step down from EPL ice hockey to play in the NIHL. Has it been what you expected?

I didn’t really know what to expect. The crowd support is fantastic and Whitley Bay is a big ice hockey community. People are excited about ice hockey and it hasn’t taken as long as I expected to get more people interested in the sport.

Who have you enjoyed working alongside most for the Warriors?

Dave Holland, our Bench Coach. I know him from my time at Newcastle Vipers so it has been good to work with him again and old team mates, Richie Lawson, Jamie Tinsley and Dean Holland, but the whole group has been great. They’re a great group of lads. Barnesy [Jordan Barnes] and [Shaun] Kippin are strong personalities in the dressing room. It’s been more fun this season. I’ve stepped down from coaching which is nice because that’s not my job anymore, I don’t have that responsibility and I can leave that side of things to David Longstaff.

Who has been the most challenging player you’ve faced this season?

[Hesitation…] I’d probably have to say Perry Doyle. He’s tough to face because he’s left-handed and he can cause some damage from a fighting point of view but, other than that, I don’t really think I’ve found anyone particularly challenging to play against this season.

You’ve taken on a defensive role with the Warriors. How have you found playing on the blue line?

It’s been a wonderful experience. As a 39 year old, it brings me satisfaction to play deep. I’m never going to play in the NHL now so I’m happy with my new position. What I really like about our Warriors team is that team comes first, it’s not all individual accolades and it’s been great to play in a new position and also learn things that as a coach I wouldn’t look at the defenceman in the same way. Now that I’ve played most positions, I’ll have a better grasp of what I want my defenceman to do when I do coach again.

You’re very involved in off-ice operations, promoting the club when you can and running a hockey school. Has this been rewarding?

I had an active role with the Vipers in sponsorship and I did everything for the Sheffield Steeldogs. I actually organise advertising boards for the ice rink, not just for the Warriors, but for the rink. It’s been great, a new role in sales, and I think Whitley Bay Ice Rink looks a lot better for it. A lot of businesses have come back to the ice rink and it’s made Whitley Bay look a lot better. I’ve really enjoyed that part of it. The hockey school was always something that me and David wanted to do from the start. I ran them in Canada and I ran the Steeldogs’ Schools for the last five years. It’s just a way for us to spend a lot of time with kids in our community. It’s been great because the kids get to know you and you get to know them and they want to come and watch all the hockey games because they know Longstaff and we’re the coaches of the hockey school. I think we’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been a great success so far.

And finally, what are your hopes for the future?

Just to continue being involved in the game that I’ve known my whole life and I hope that I can manage to stay in it for the rest of my working life.

Thank you to Andre for taking the time to be interviewed by NIHL Northern Trio.

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NIHL Weekend Action

Skilful Sharks stun Hawks to seal victory in Dumfries

Solway Sharks       5

Blackburn Hawks  3

Armed with a clear game plan and a desire to win, Martin Grubb’s Solway Sharks took to the ice against Blackburn Hawks with the view that victory was very much within their grasp. Starting with Kieran Hobbins in net, the Sharks were without some key players including defencemen Frazer Goldie, Craig Mitchell, Jamie Scott and Alan Crane as well as netminder Andrew Jaszczyk. Meanwhile, there were also absentees for the Hawks as blue liners Andy Dunn and Ollie Lomax missed out on the fixture alongside forwards David Meikle and Tom King. Daniel MacKriel’s Hawks went into the game aware that a win would increase their lead at the top of table to eleven points whereas a victory for the Sharks would place the Dumfries outfit within touching distance of sixth.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The first period barely underway, Blackburn managed to make the better start as Solway conceded an early penalty to hand the visitors a power play with Stephen Adams guilty of a hooking offence almost three minutes into the game. Unable to capitalise, the Hawks were soon punished as Grubb’s line up began to pile on the pressure, forward Marc Fowley firing an unassisted effort into Daniel Brittle’s net to present the home side with a 1-0 lead. 

As ever, Blackburn were not trailing for long. A rapid response to this opener resulted in an equaliser for the visitors, captain Chris Arnone working alongside import RJ Berra to set up goal scorer Adam Brittle. Just over a minute later, the Hawks found themselves a man down as Max Drakeley was shown to the sin bin for interference, giving Solway the advantage of a power play. The home side failed to make the additional man count however, and Blackburn returned to full strength unpunished. Though the Hawks continued to create offensive opportunities to test Hobbins, the Sharks defended superbly to prevent the top-of-the-table side from grabbing a second whilst ensuring Daniel Brittle had much work to do at the other end of the ice, hitting a further sixteen shots at the experienced netminder. A disciplined conclusion to the period saw both teams head in one goal apiece with the Sharks performing at a high standard to compete with the league leaders.

Returning for the middle stanza, Blackburn were aware that they would need to improve their game in order to get ahead and MacKriel’s men did just that, Drakeley striking in the third minute of the period following a pass from the side’s top points scorer, Richard Bentham. Soon after, the home side were handed their second power play opportunity of the game when Arnone found himself sin binned for a hooking offence.  Ensuring that this chance did not pass them by, the Sharks hit back on the power play when experienced forward Iain Bowie linked up with alternate captain Juraj Senko to send Joe Coulter through on goal.

The score line level at 2-2, the Hawks had their work cut out once again as the margin between the two sides had been narrowed for a second time in the game. On this occasion, it was the Hawks who were next to strike, Adam Brittle turning assist for Berra alongside forward Lee Pollitt. Over three minutes later, Solway made the most of their possession when a delayed penalty call from referee Emmerson was made against Hawks’ Finnish import Kim Miettinen. Captain Struan Tonnar was the man on hand to light the lamp when decent build up play from his team mates Steven Moore and Ross Murray allowed the strong forward to fire the puck home.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

A second interference penalty for Drakeley called on 35:58 saw Grubb’s line up handed yet another power play and the Sharks did not disappoint their home crowd as Tonnar grabbed his seventh goal of the season courtesy of youngster Duncan Speirs and defenceman Senko to make it 4-3 exactly three minutes before the break. With a single goal separating the two sides, the resilient Sharks returned to the ice far from complacent and with the knowledge that Blackburn have the capacity to overturn deficits at a quick rate. However, just fifty nine seconds into the last instalment of the game, it was Solway who struck quickest, this time Stuart Kerr assisting Moore with an even handed effort following a ten minute misconduct penalty incurred by Hawks’ Jordan Bannon.

Blackburn continued to pursue offensive openings, having a total of thirteen shots on Hobbins goal, and the tables turned as MacKriel’s team were awarded a power play after a trip from Fowley. Unable to bury their chances, the Hawks looked on as Solway were restored to full strength. Referee Emmerson then picked up on a holding offence from Martin Cingel, presenting the visitors with yet another chance to equalise but Blackburn’s struggle was in vain, their opposition remaining composed to hold onto their 5-3 lead. With a two goal cushion, Solway soon found themselves under pressure in the last minute of the game as Fowley was sent to the penalty box on 59:04 for slashing. With the extra man, Blackburn ploughed forward but the Sharks’ defence of their lead was exceptional to earn the home side a deserved victory on the final buzzer.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio after the game, Head Coach Martin Grubb revealed: “I am delighted with the win against the league leaders and even more so with the performance. We played with energy and discipline from the first shift to the last and every player executed the system and got the reward they deserved. We had to show great character after going behind 3-2 and in previous games we would have went on to lose but the players did everything I asked of them and got the win in what was a great hockey game. We have hopefully proven to ourselves that we have the ability and, when we play the way we can, then we can beat anyone. We now need to go on a run of consistent performances to get the wins needed to help us in our playoff push.”

With several games in hand still to play, Solway remain in seventh but are only five points away from fifth placed Billingham Stars whom they face next Sunday. Prior to this fixture, the Sharks are also set to take on Whitley Warriors at the Dumfries Ice Bowl in what should be a fascinating contest between the two teams.

Sutton sting Stars to claim points on home ice

Sutton Sting          5

Billingham Stars   2

Missing defenceman Jamie Pattison, captain Paul Windridge and player-assistant coach Michael Bowman through injury whilst starting with Mark Watson in net, Billingham Stars travelled to Ice Sheffield with a view to extend their current good run of form against John Ross’ Sutton Sting.

With both teams starting strongly in the opening minutes, maintaining discipline and homing in on goal, the Teesiders found themselves cancelled out by Sutton’s fighting spirit, with their attempts on goal coolly turned away by Russian shot stopper Dmitri Zimozdra. Sutton’s line up gave Watson some work to do with several shots on Stars’ net, but the stalemate was soon broken as the home side took the lead on 14:07, alternate captain James Spurr delivering the puck past Billingham’s defence with support from Richard Oliver and blue liner James Goodman.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

It was a little over four minutes before Billingham could find a response, Chris Sykes working hard to set up forward Michael Elder with less than two minutes of the period remaining. Heading in at the break, the sides were level at 1-1 and Billingham returned for the second stanza, aware that further attacking play was necessary to challenge Zimozdra; their fifteen shots in the opening period not enough to get ahead in the game.

Despite this, Sutton took to the ice with the same style of play as that of the first period to snatch a second goal, this time Oliver on target with a single assist from versatile Latvian import Sergevs Jegorovs. The Stars were able to apply much offensive pressure of their own to challenge the Sting but it was to be to no avail as Sutton’s defence held out to prevent the visitors from grabbing an equaliser. Billingham were handed a chance to go level around the half way mark of the period when referee Andrew Miller was called into action for the first time in the game as Ryan Johnson was sent to serve two minutes for a tripping offence.

The Stars failed to light the lamp on this power play and they soon conceded a penalty of their own; their bench punished for icing too many men. Unable to make the additional man count, Sutton soon found themselves on the wrong end of an identical bench penalty. The power play shifting in Billingham’s favour, the Stars were handed further advantage still when Goodman was found guilty of a hooking offence on 36:42 which awarded the Stars five on three ice hockey for thirty two seconds.  However, Terry Ward and his team were left stunned as not one shot found the back of Zimozdra’s net. A final penalty in the period disrupted play further as Jegorovs was sin binned for delaying the game but again, the visitors could not find a way past Sutton’s sturdy shot stopper and the Sting headed in at the interval with a single goal giving them the edge over their opposition.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning for the final period, both teams took to the ice, aware that the margin between winning and losing the points was a very fine one. As with the previous stanzas, Sutton were the first to open the scoring to make it 3-1, player-coach Ross with a neat pass to Vjaceslavs Movko to set up Mark Turner. It was approximately nine minutes before the Stars could reduce this two goal deficit, Sykes again helping Elder out with an additional assist from captain Andy Munroe.

Just over a minute later though, the Sting regained their two goal cushion, this time Ross slotting the puck home from a neat Movko pass to make it 4-2. Prompting a time out and drastic action from Billingham, the visitors pulled Watson from his net to give themselves the additional skater. Fortune did not favour the brave on this occasion, Johnson and Shaun Aston passing the puck on to Oliver who rounded off Sting’s successful evening with an empty net goal twenty one seconds from the end of time.

Lucky Stars triumph over spirited Senators

Billingham Stars    5

Sheffield Senators 3

Requiring two points to reclaim fifth position, Billingham Stars returned to The Forum prepared for a very different game against foot-of-the-table-side Sheffield Senators. In addition to those unable to ice against Sutton Sting on Saturday, forward Jack Davies was not to be risked following injury concerns and defenceman Andy Finn was also unavailable for the clash.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Going into this game, the Senators had yet to pick up their first victory in the Moralee Conference but if the Stars felt that they were to be in for an uncomplicated evening, they were quickly corrected as Andrew Chapman’s team hurled themselves onto the ice with the view of causing problems for the Teesiders. With less than three minutes played, Stars’ youngster Billy Nicholson was shown to the sin bin by referee David Farren for clipping. Whilst the Senators were unable to produce a goal on this opening power play, they were soon handed a second opportunity to get ahead in the game and did so; Joseph Colton and Benjamin Jones working together to set up forward Thomas Humphries for a blue line shot which found its way into Mark Watson’s net.

One minute later, Matthew Pigott found himself in the sin bin for holding but Billingham could not make their chances count on this occasion as the Senators appeared strong on the penalty kill. Unable to take advantage of the additional man, the home side were soon to regret this as Sheffield’s young defenceman Lewis Otley fired the puck home, Ben Towler and Timothy Cross with the assists.

The score line 2-0 in Senators’ favour, Billingham were aware that they needed to react quickly and, just when a second penalty for Matthew Campbell appeared to have hampered the Teesiders’ chances, James Moss snatched the puck from the Senators’ defence to supply Chris Sykes with the puck whose shorthanded effort put the Stars back on track.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Going in at the break with a goal separating the two sides, Billingham returned in search of an equaliser and the side did not have to wait long as player-assistant coach Richie Thornton slotted a pass to Moss who did not miss his mark. Less than two minutes later, the Senators found themselves under pressure once again when Farren was left with no choice but to hand  Pigott a penalty of 2+10 for a check to the head which floored Scott Ward.

It was not long before Ward also found himself in the sin bin however, the experienced forward punished for slashing whilst Senator Alexander Harding served two minutes for a cross check. Despite the disruption that these penalties caused to the flow of the game, the Stars maintained a desire to take the lead and the pressure they applied to Mark Hartley’s net was soon rewarded with a second goal for Moss, import Dennis Boström and Stars’ Under 20 captain Luke Brown on hand to set up the in-form goal scorer. Another penalty for Harding saw the Stars’ offensive play increased, Moss turning assist for Boström on the power play with input once again from blue liner Thornton. Less than a minute later, Paul Lofthouse incurred a 2+10 for a check to the head and, as neither side could find a way through in the latter stages of the period, the Stars went in at the interval with a much needed two goal cushion.

Taking to the ice for the final stanza, the Stars were soon on the wrong end of a penalty call as a trip from Thornton put the Senators on the power play. The Sheffield outfit were not about to miss this opportunity to reduce the deficit, Jack Dransfield helping the puck past the Stars’ defence and into the back of Watson’s net subsequent to some earlier build up play from alternate captains Arran Bell and Nathan Parkes-Britton.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

An incredibly close contest unfolding, the Stars were given some reprieve when captain Andrew McEwan was made to serve two minutes for boarding. No goal arose from this five on four ice hockey however, though the Stars continued to pressure Senators’ shot stopper Hartley as the clock ran down. It was only with forty four seconds left of the game that Billingham could again find the back of the net, Boström once more on target with a single assist from Moss to make it 5-3 before the final whistle.

Reflecting on Stars’ weekend, Chris Sykes kindly shared his views with NIHL Northern Trio: “The weekend the team and I had planned out didn’t quite go the way we wanted but two points out of four is something to take from it. At least it wasn’t nothing which is a positive. We turned up in Sheffield on Saturday and it just didn’t seem to get going. We were a little flat if I’m honest and we had a good shift and then a bad shift and it was hard to get into the game as it was quite scrappy. Credit to the Sting, they put on a performance and finished their chances. We had a lot of the play but couldn’t get past that man Zimozdra. I mentioned him in my preview of the weekend and it’s fitting that he came up big for them but we should have made him work more and scored more as we know we have the fire power. Again we struggled on the big ice and the Sting punished us but we will learn and move on from it. Onto Sunday, we had a home game against the Senators who are bottom of the league and haven’t won a game all year but they won’t roll over and die. I’ll give them credit; they skate well and they try hard every shift. We struggled to get going again. I’m not sure what it was but we just didn’t get the jump to start. We went down 2-0 to them and we just looked like we hadn’t turned up. We got reward for our chance on a PK when Mossy [James Moss] skated his bag off and poked one off their defender which I latched onto and buried to get a goal back to make it a one goal lead. Losing the first period is not how we wanted to play the game. We wanted to dominate from the off. We knuckled down and we got the job done on the night. It wasn’t as high a score as expected but, like I say, credit to the Senators for putting in the effort. We managed to get the two points in front of our own fans which is always good. On to next weekend!”

Billingham will next encounter Blackburn Hawks on away ice before taking on Solway Sharks at home which should make for a highly entertaining contest between the close rivals.

Tigers fail to terrify as Warriors back to winning ways

Whitley Warriors 9

Telford Tigers     1

Following four consecutive league games against Blackburn Hawks, Whitley Warriors’ last victory was against the Lancashire side on home ice early in December. As a result, David Longstaff’s men were hunting for their first win of 2016 and, though the Hillheads outfit were without the injured Alex Lawson, defenceman Stu Tomlinson and youngster Callum Queenan, forward Ben Richards made his return following a lengthy injury. Jason Parry’s Telford, on the other hand, were extremely short benched, with import Karol Jets, captain Daniel Croft, youngster Ben Washburn, the injured Macaulay Heywood and forward Adam Taylor all missing from the Tigers’ line up alongside regular netminder Dennis Bell.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

In the initial phase of the game, the teams battled for possession; the Warriors ploughing forward on the puck and Telford aiming to have some control of game play in the early stages. This soon changed however, when referee Steve Brown interrupted play to hand a two minute hooking penalty to Tigers’ Corey Goodison. Taking full advantage of the power play, Whitley soon grabbed themselves a goal as hard working blue liner Harry Harley and player-coach Longstaff engaged in some neat passing play to launch Shaun Kippin onto the score sheet. Just over a minute later, the home side made it 2-0 as alternate captain Andre Payette looped the puck over netminder Sam Ellis in a spectacular effort.

The Tigers were given some reprieve as Warriors’ latest signing Adam Reynolds was shown to the sin bin for boarding but, with Whitley working hard on the penalty kill, the visitors could not find a way past Richie Lawson to reduce the deficit. Soon after, Tigers’ forward Simon Harrison was the next to be on the wrong side of a penalty call for his team and, though Whitley applied pressure to Telford’s defence, the Hillheads outfit could not find a way through. As Tigers’ returned to full strength, the power play soon shifted to the visitors, this time Payette the subject of an interference call. Despite this, the score line remained unaltered until Whitley returned to five men; Callum Watson playing a neat set up through to long-serving Warrior DJ Good who found the back of the net to make it 3-0 before the first interval.

With the Tigers’ falling behind, Whitley took to the ice for the middle section with a view to increase their lead and thus secure a victory. A second penalty from Payette on 23:49 saw Telford on the power play once again and, though James Smith and Callum Bowley pushed play into Whitley’s defensive zone, the Warriors maintained their strength on the penalty kill to prevent the visitors from scoring. A little over two minutes later saw Whitley again reduced to four men, Kippin the man in the penalty box on this occasion, but the home side remained composed to snatch a shorthanded goal, Good passing to Payette who neatly slotted the puck into Harley’s path, allowing the defenceman to achieve his sixth goal of the season.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Minutes later, a slashing offence from Richards placed the visitors at an advantage but this did not stop the shorthanded Warriors from scoring once again. Receiving the puck from Good, Crammond stormed into Tigers’ defensive zone to fire home a fantastic effort. The score line 5-0, Longstaff made the decision to place backup netminder Mark Turnbull between the pipes. Soon after, it was the turn of Telford forward Callum Griffin to warm a seat in the sin bin but, as neither team could make any further offensive opportunities count in this period, the Warriors went in at the break with a five goal gap separating themselves from the Tigers.

Short benched, Telford slowly began to fatigue and it was the Warriors who grabbed the next goal of the game, Kippin lighting the lamp on 44:56 following strong build up play from Dean Holland. As the home side dominated possession, matters were made worse for the Shropshire outfit when Goodison was made to serve two minutes for interference, allowing Whitley to secure a 7-0 lead on the power play; Harley and Holland offering support to Reynolds who went on to achieve his first goal since his return to the club. Soon after, Simon Harrison was sin binned for a trip when youngster Kyle Hindmarsh-Ross wove his way past several Tigers’ players in style to try his luck on goal. This call prompted Longstaff’s men to capitalise for a third time in the game as Watson found the target courtesy of reliable defenceman Dan Pye.

Five seconds later, Warrior Hindmarsh-Ross was punished for hooking, allowing the Tigers to seek a consolation goal which was delivered by Simon Harrison with double assists from James Smith and Philip Mulcahy to make it 8-1. Following this goal, Longstaff was left with no choice but to switch netminders once again as Turnbull (who reportedly does not wear the knee protectors that most other goaltenders do) took a puck to the knee prior to Telford’s successful offensive effort and returned to the bench, feeling the blow had affected his movement. Telford’s Matthew Lees then went on to sit out a tripping penalty and it was not long before Warrior Jordan Barnes joined the defenceman in the sin bin. With less than two minutes of game play left, the Warriors continued to push forward and, though the Tigers returned to full strength to make it five on four ice hockey in their favour, there was just enough time for Kippin to complete his hat trick.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The final score 9-1, Longstaff expressed his delight at the win, informing NIHL Northern Trio: “I thought it was a very professional performance. It was good to have a good first home game after the New Year. It was an excellent hat trick from Kippin and well deserved.” Sitting comfortably in second place, Whitley Warriors are both seven points clear from Telford Tigers and seven points from top spot with a game in hand on league leaders Blackburn Hawks. Next weekend, the Warriors face Solway Sharks on away ice before playing host to Sheffield Spartans in what should be two challenging fixtures for the club.

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