NIHL Weekend Action

Steeldogs in seventh heaven as Warriors beaten on road

Sheffield Steeldogs      7

Whitley Warriors          0

Travelling to Sheffield with eighteen skaters and netminders Mark Turnbull and Rory Dunn at their disposal, Whitley Warriors found themselves without defencemen Josh Maddock and Dan Pye, youngsters Anthony Wetherell and Ross Douglass, forward Adam Finlinson and usual first choice shot stopper Richie Lawson going into this fixture. League leaders Sheffield Steeldogs, by comparison, lined up with a short bench which included player-coach Ben Morgan, Player of the Month Dmitri Zimozdra and stand-in captain Lloyd Gibson.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Though hoping to achieve something from this game having claimed a victory over the Steeldogs on home ice last month, Whitley Warriors headed out with the knowledge that this encounter would be an incredibly difficult one as Sheffield prepared to give their all to continue in the race for the league title. As a result, the opening moments of the game proved tough for both teams, with captain Dean Holland amongst those standing out for Whitley in his efforts to beat Zimozdra whilst Warriors’ shot stopper Turnbull was also called upon several times but dealt with Sheffield’s offensive play to keep his side in the game. With neither team able to find the net before the halfway point in the period, tempers soon began to fray, causing Steeldogs’ left winger Ashley Calvert and Warriors’ alternate captain Shaun Kippin to drop the gloves; the pair receiving penalties of 2+2 for fighting as a result. Shortly afterwards, Sheffield were handed a power play when Warrior Jordan Barnes joined his teammate in the sin bin for charging on 13:08. Making the most of their additional skater, Slovakian forward Milan Kolena hit the target over a minute into his team’s advantage following neat work from player-coach Morgan and defenceman Jamie Scott to make it 1-0. Less than two minutes later, Turnbull was picking the puck from his net for a second time when the Steeldogs doubled their lead through stand-in captain Gibson who was helped onto the scoresheet by forwards Charlie Thompson and Joe Cross on 16:17. Though striving for a goal in retaliation, the Warriors could not find the back of the net and filed from the ice at the first interval with a 2-0 deficit to deal with.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Aiming to claw their way back into the game, the Warriors sought a goal and it was forward Ben Richards who was first on hand with a chance for his team, only for Zimozdra to make the save. Moments later, a shot from Steeldog James Spurr was prevented by Turnbull and, continuing to build pressure, Sheffield’s hardworking forward Cameron Brownley chimed the post to make Whitley’s defence work. Countering this play, Warriors’ Canadian import Philip Edgar utilised his skill to trouble Sheffield’s blue liners but, unable to make this count, the visitors were pleased to be handed a power play on 31:52 when Kolena was sidelined for boarding. Despite their efforts, the Steeldogs killed their penalty with ease and resumed their onslaught on Turnbull’s net after returning to full strength; the netminder dealing with twenty four shots in this stanza alone. As the period drew to a close, Morgan’s men were keen to extend their lead and were handed the perfect opportunity when Warriors’ defenceman Sam Zajac was shown to the sin bin following a slashing offence to allow the Steeldogs a power play. With just seven seconds of the period remaining, Slovakian forward Adrian Palak threaded a pass to Brownley who fired home to make it 3-0 ahead of the break.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Looking to bounce back from this in the third and final stanza, the Warriors were disappointed to suffer a further setback when Brownley netted his second of the evening on 42:15 to alter the scoreboard to 4-0, this time Palak working with left winger Liam Charnock to assist. Just over two minutes later, the Steeldogs achieved a fifth goal as Kolena collected his second of the game from a tight angle with 44:41 on the clock, Calvert and Spurr with the assists. This goal prompted a change of netminder for Whitley who switched Turnbull for Dunn to allow the latter some ice time. Continuing to work hard in offence in spite of the score line, the Warriors were disappointed to see their chances slip by and instead watched on as the Steeldogs made it 6-0 on 51:52, Gibson again hitting home following passing play between Morgan and defenceman Tom Barry. It was not long after this goal that the game again boiled over as Steeldogs’ forward Charlie Thompson and long serving Warrior Callum Watson exchanged blows to each earn penalties of 2+2 for fighting on 56:44. With Whitley still seeking a consolatory goal and Sheffield comfortable in their lead, it was the latter who were able to add to their tally on 58:50, Palak beating Dunn on this occasion courtesy of Calvert and Barry to complete the scoring. In consequence, the final buzzer confirmed a 7-0 defeat for the Warriors who hit the road with nothing to show for their efforts.

  

Warriors demolish Billingham as Stars suffer derby defeat

Whitley Warriors     5

Billingham Stars     0

Playing host to local rivals Billingham Stars, Whitley Warriors took to the ice with a strong line-up which consisted of twenty skaters and shot stoppers Richie Lawson and Mark Turnbull, the side missing only youngsters Anthony Wetherell, Ross Douglass and forward Adam Finlinson. The Stars, meanwhile, made the trip to Hillheads with a squad of eighteen players, including starting netminder James Flavell, captain Michael Elder and youngsters Ethan Hehir and James Hellens; the Teessiders’ absentee list made up of forwards Joshua Nertney and Scott Ward, player-coach Richie Thornton and defencemen Darren Stattersfield and Andy Finn.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon

Planning to make the best possible start to this contest, Whitley Warriors flew out onto the ice with intensity and it quickly paid off as the side’s second line worked together to open the scoring; alternate captain Jordan Barnes passing to player-coach David Longstaff who coolly carved a path through Billingham’s defence to ease the puck around Flavell just fifty six seconds in. This lead prompted a reaction from the Stars and they began to build up some pressure around Lawson’s net to call the shot stopper into action but the Warriors were able to deal with their rivals’ attempts to return to their offensive zone in search of another goal. Whilst Canadian forward Philip Edgar was amongst those striving to join Longstaff on the scoresheet, Billingham tried their luck against Lawson with youngster Ethan Hehir appearing a real threat to Whitley’s lead. However, remaining composed, the Warriors dealt with the Stars’ attacking play and continued to look dangerous, firing chance after chance at experienced netminder Flavell. As the period drew to a close, the home team’s perseverance soon paid off as Whitley doubled their tally after some scrambling play in front of Flavell’s net allowed captain Dean Holland to net his fourteenth league goal of the season on 17:01, forward Callum Watson receiving the puck from Edgar to assist. As such, the Warriors were able to head in with a 2-0 lead at the break, much to Billingham’s disappointment, the Stars having equalled Whitley’s fourteen shots on goal.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon

Returning to the ice, the Warriors were keen to build on their positive start to the game whilst the Stars were hopeful that they could recover some lost ground, the outfit playing a man on the edge of Whitley’s defensive zone in the hope that they could beat the Warriors’ blue liners in this period. Despite setting out with this objective, the Stars found that their rivals were able to dominate play as the Warriors remained composed in defence to control possession going forward. Countering Whitley’s play, the Stars’ efforts were repeatedly shut down by Lawson and his ‘D’ men whilst the Warriors continued to cause problems for Flavell, the side finally bagging themselves a third goal when Barnes slotted home on 27:14 after Longstaff set his sights on Billingham’s net once again. Comfortable in their lead, the Warriors attempted to add to their tally, experienced defenceman Sam Zajac working hard to ensure the puck remained within the Stars’ defensive zone to thereby cause problems for Flavell. With Barnes’ goal the only one of this period, Whitley then suffered a setback as referee David Emmerson called the first penalty of the evening against Holland for holding on 37:41. Making use of rapid line changes to battle the Stars’ attempts to get onto the scoresheet, the Warriors returned to full strength with their three-goal lead intact before filing from the ice at the second interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Facing off for the third and final stanza, the Warriors showed no signs of easing off in offence and instead Zajac raced through on Flavell’s goal moments after play resumed to see his shot fly over the net. Remaining the dominant force in this contest, Whitley pushed for another goal whilst the Stars fought for their first of the game, with captain Michael Elder, alternate captain Chris Sykes, forward James Moss and player-coach Michael Bowman amongst those seeking to make the most of their possession but without success. Their frustrations beginning to show, Stars’ Latvian import Deniss Baškatovs made way for a slashing offence on 47:04 to hand the Warriors their first power play of the game. Just fifty three seconds into Whitley’s advantage however, Warrior Dean Holland and Stars’ defenceman Ross Hanlon clashed, the former earning a minor for interference whilst the latter received a penalty for crosschecking. As these penalties had little impact on Whitley’s flow of play, the side were able to build on their opening chances to see alternate captain Shaun Kippin fire past Flavell on 50:26 courtesy of blue liner Liam Smedley to make it 4-0. Despondent as a result of their growing deficit, the Stars failed to retaliate and were soon punished again when Whitley made it 5-0 less than three minutes later, Holland playing the puck to Harley who danced his way through Billingham’s defence to fire the puck into the net on the backhand. Looking to hold onto their shutout as the game came to a close, Warrior Josh Maddock found himself sidelined when the fieriness of the derby came to the fore, the defenceman clashing with Stars’ captain Elder to find himself warming a seat for crosschecking and roughing in the final two minutes of the game. Aiming to kill this penalty without allowing Billingham a consolatory goal, the Hillheads outfit then found themselves punished further when Holland vented his anger at referee Emmerson thirty eight seconds later to find himself ejected from the game for abuse of an official. Despite this unexpected turn of events, the Warriors saw out the game to collect two points and a shutout from their local rivals ahead of next weekend’s road fixture against the Teessiders. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking after this game, Warriors’ player-coach David Longstaff shared: “I was really pleased with the score and to beat our rivals for the third time this season is really pleasing, especially a 5-0 win.”

Sharks overpowered by Barons as Solihull claim victory

Solihull Barons         5

Solway Sharks          3

Travelling to Hobs Moat Road with sixteen skaters including two-way players Josh Grieveson and Jordan Buesa, youngster Liam Stenton and top points scorer Iain Bowie, Solway Sharks were keen to get back to their best after last weekend’s heavy defeat to Hull Pirates. By comparison, Solihull Barons had twenty players at their disposal with starting netminder Josh Nicholls, skilled forward Thomas Soar and Swedish import Niklas Ottosson amongst those available for this difficult contest.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Facing off against Solway Sharks, Solihull Barons were eager to make the best possible start to this game and did so, the side immediately making an impact in front of Calum Hepburn’s net to gain an early lead on 4:38 through experienced alternate captain Marcus Maynard who made the most of a pass from forward Luke Brittle to print his name on the scoresheet. Soon after, Solway suffered a further setback when forward Joe Coulter made his way to the sin bin for tripping to hand the Barons a power play. Seventeen seconds later, Hepburn was beaten for a second time as Swedish import Niklas Ottosson presented Luke Brittle with an opportunity to grab a goal of his own on 5:54 to make it 2-0. Disappointed to see their deficit grow so quickly, the Sharks were determined to establish a foothold in this game and were able to pull back a goal two minutes later when forward Scott Henderson beat Nicholls following a pass from Buesa. Continuing their offensive work to have twice as many shots on the Barons’ net than those which were fired against them, Solway were pleased to find themselves awarded a power play on 11:22 when forward Andrew Whitehouse was shown to the sin bin for holding. Though attempting to draw level with the additional man, Solway were unable to find a second goal as the Barons worked hard to kill their penalty. Both teams seeking their next goal, Solihull deployed their usual cohort to break down the Sharks’ defence, including Soar, Ottosson and Brittle brothers Adam and Luke whilst the Dumfries outfit looked to top goal scorers Bowie, Duncan Speirs and Czech defenceman Marek Charvát to equalise. Though neither team were able to find the net ahead of the first break, the Sharks were handed another power play on 19:17 as defenceman Richard Crowe was shown to the sin bin for charging to allow the visitors to return with the advantage after the interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Failing to make the most of this opportunity, the Sharks were presented with a third power play in the early stages of the second stanza as Solihull’s alternate captain Tomas Janak was sidelined for interference on 22:03 but again, Solway could not punish the Barons’ misdemeanour to leave the score line at 2-1. Just over three minutes later, it was the Sharks’ turn to go shorthanded as defenceman Scott Cooper was made to sit out for kneeing to allow Solihull the advantage. However, the home team were equally unable to make the most of their additional skater and returned to full strength only to battle with Solway for possession, the side denied by Hepburn on several occasions. With the score line unchanged for much of the period, the Barons were disappointed to find themselves reduced to four men on 35:13 when forward Philip Mulcahy made way for slashing to award Martin Grubb’s men a power play. Whilst the Sharks hoped that this turn of events would provide them with a chance to draw level, it was Solihull who were able to add to their tally as Soar broke free of Solway’s defence to achieve a shorthanded, unassisted goal on 36:41. Just over a minute after returning to full strength, the Barons then accomplished a 4-1 lead as Luke Brittle teamed up with Ottosson to see the Swede achieve his twenty fourth league goal of the season with less than two minutes remaining in the period.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Disappointed to have fallen even further behind in the latter stages of the second stanza, Solway were determined to get back into the game when they returned to the ice for the third period and were able to hit the net just over two minutes in when alternate captain Ross Murray made the most of a pass from captain Struan Tonnar to reduce his side’s deficit to two goals. This goal seemingly igniting the Sharks’ comeback, Czech defenceman Charvát then buried the puck beyond Nicholls with an unassisted shot just forty three seconds later to take his team within one goal of their opposition. Buoyed by their swift progress, Solway were then pleased to gain a power play opportunity when Whitehouse was sinbinned on 45:33 but, failing to contend with the Barons’ penalty kill, the Sharks could not snatch an equaliser before Solihull returned to full strength. Less than two minutes later, both teams ran into penalty trouble as ‘D’ man Dave Rogers crosschecked Buesa, causing the pair to clash; Rogers receiving a penalty of 2+2 for crosschecking and roughing whilst Buesa received the same punishment for roughing only. Fifty nine seconds after these penalties terminated, Solihull’s Stephen Heape then incurred a punishment of 2+10 for roughing and instigation after the forward dropped the gloves in an attempt to entice Murray into a fight, a tactic which backfired on the Baron. Despite this penalty, the home team did not lose sight of their objective and returned to full strength to find the net for a fifth time as Soar bagged his second unassisted goal of the evening to make it 5-3 on 57:49. Shortly after this goal, tensions between the two sides boiled over again as Solihull’s defencemen Daniel Harrison and Solway’s blue liner Grieveson came to blows, the duo receiving minors for roughing with less than two minutes remaining in the game. With the score line now beyond them in spite of their ability to outshoot their opposition by fifteen shots to four in this period, the Sharks were forced to leave Hobs Moat Road empty handed as the final buzzer called time on their loss to the Barons.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Reflecting on his team’s defeat, Solway Sharks’ Head Coach Martin Grubb shared: “We knew this would be a tough game and we would have to play for sixty minutes but we didn’t do that and it cost us. When you give a good team a 4-1 lead, it’s always difficult to pull that back. We played well for ten minutes in the third period and gave ourselves a chance but ultimately paid the price for conceding weak goals.”

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