Barons escape Eagles’ Talons

By Gareth Thomson

The Solihull Barons held on for two points at Blackburn on Saturday as the Blackburn Eagles swooped late in the hope of stealing the points. The two sides had met in the National Ice Hockey league only six days previously, the Barons on that occasion winning comfortably but at the Blackburn rink this weekend things turned our much tighter.

With an eye to bringing through as many young players as possible, Barons coach Darren Bellerby had called up a number of players from the Solihull Knights under eighteens team.

Prominent among these youngsters were 17 year old George Garbett pulling on a senior Barons shirt for the first time and Graham Laverick getting his second start in a row for the Barons.

Chris Allen picked up a crucial pair of goals for the Barons.

It was the Eagles however who hit the netting first. Captain Chris Wareing with a goal after only four minutes. The Barons countered quickly, Chris Allen feeding off linemates Neil Adams and Rich Slater to send a rocket past Eagles goalie Nick Saxton and bring the sides level.

Five minutes before the close of the first period Adams and Slater again combined to allow Slater to put the Barons in front for the first time in the evening. Within a minute the same pairing again provided Chris Allen with an opportunity on net which was duly taken. The Barons second line then scored via youngster Dave Rogers to give the Solihull a comfortable three goal margin at the end of the first.

Into the second period and Erik Bakalar extended the Barons lead further via support from defencemen Eddie Slater and Adz Andrews, though this would be the end of the Solihull goal account for the night. Despite firing thirty or so shots on the Eagles netting over the second half of the game none managed to defeat an increasingly confident Nick Saxton.

At the other end of the ice, Blackburn, while only having a fraction of the chances of the Barons,  were taking their opportunities well, clawing back three goals and coming close to getting their first points of the season.

By the final buzzer the Barons had however squeaked the win and managed to give many of their youngsters some good senior level ice time.

Neil Adams missed out on the goals this time but three assists gave him the Man of the Match for the Barons.

The Barons have a rest weekend this week but return to Hobs Moat on Sunday the 24th March for the last time of the season as they take on newly crowned league champions the Nottingham Lions. This will be a highly charged fixture with the Barons still in with the chance of clinching second place in the league and so a promotion play off place very much remains a possibility.

Face-off 6pm.

Goals : Allen (2), R Slater, Rogers, Bakalar
Assists : Adams (3), R Slater (2), Andrews, E Slater, Eley, Bakalar
Man of the Match : Neil Adams

Next Home Game Sunday 24th March The Barons face the Nottingham Lions in their final home game of the season. With the Lions having clinched the NIHL N2 title, the Barons will be keen to make the most of the opportunity to show the Lions, that on home ice, the Barons are a match for any side in the league. Two points are still up for grab and with a tight battle for places between the Barons, the Sheffield Senators and the Deeside Dragons, Darren Bellery's boys will be determined to take two points from the game. It will be long and hopefully hot Summer, so make the most of your last Sunday evening at Hobs Moat. Give the Boys your Support & make sure you're there ! Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)