Leapy hits ton and a half in easy win.

Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons : 16
Blackburn Eagles : 2

By Gareth Thomson

Such was the dominance of the Solihull Barons in Sunday's National Ice Hockey League clash that it would not have been a surprise to see the between period Zamboni have to take a run up to get over the kerb formed between the heavily worn Blackburn end of the ice and the pristine Solihull defensive zone.

After last weekend's closely fought tie against Deeside Dragons, the fixture against basement side the Blackburn Eagles was always going to go one way, particularly when the Lancashire side showed up missing many of their more experienced and tougher players.

The first period saw the puck find the back of the Blackburn net five times. A close in poke between the netminder’s skates saw Mike Rodger again open the scoring for the Barons while Rich Slater managed a pair and there was a single from linemate Jake Larkin.

Blackburn countered early in the second via Captain Scott Barnett, though the lack of much celebration in the Eagles camp indicated that, even for them, this was more of a blip than a comeback. Sure enough, within a few minutes the Baorns had knocked in a firther two goals including an opening slapshot goal from Phil Lee. With the Barons pouring forward to make the most of the goal rush there was always a risk of a breakaway by the Eagles and a little after the half hour mark Blackburn's Harry Bolton raced clear through into the Barons end only to be pulled down from behind by the Barons Adz Andrews.  With the resulting penalty shot the Eagles youngster showed considerable nerve against the vociferous Hobs Moat crowd to put away a second goal for Lancashire.

Within a minute however a neat one two between Neil Adams and Rich Slater off a face off saw the latter clock up his third of four goals for the evening, while defence man Phil Lee showed he could also get short range goals, tapping the puck in from just outside the Blackburn goal crease.

With the final period starting 9-2 in favour of the Barons, the objective was all about improving goal difference and Solihull racked up a further seven goals without answer. Rich Slater got his fourth, Andrew Whitehouse got a couple and Neil Adams and Rob Eley a single apiece. For spectacle there was a Chris Allen goal which saw the defenceman race into the Blackburn zone, simultaneously releasing a thunderous slapshot which gave Nicholas Saxton little chance of a save.

It was however a delighted Phil Lee who used the final period to notch up his hat trick, a landmark 150th goal in a Barons shirt and a man of the match performance.

Speaking after the game coach Darren Bellerby was happy with the performance, "It's always tricky with these sort of games as you are always expected to win comfortably and anything less is failure. We won well though and will face them again on Saturday at their rink when they should have some players back, so it may be a bit tougher."

The Barons play Blackburn away this Saturday before taking a well deserved week off. Hobs Moat rink will play host to the Barons for the final home game of the season on Sunday the 24th of March in what will be an enticing clash against league leaders the Nottingham Lions. Face off 6pm. Player awards will be handed out at the conclusion of this game.

Goals : R Slater (4), Lee (3), Whitehouse (2), Rodger, Adam, Eley, Allen, Larkin
Assists : Adams (5), Allen (4), R Slater (3), Eley (2), Larkin (2), Lee (2), Andrews, Rodger, Hammerton
Man of the Match : Phil Lee  

Next Away Game Saturday 9th March away to Blackburn Eagles Coach Available Next Home Game Sunday 24th March The Barons face league leaders the Nottingham Lions on the Solihull sides last home game of the season. It will be a long hockey free Summer so give the Boys your Support & make sure you're there ! At the end of this game a series of awards will be presented to the players. Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)