Coventry NL Blaze : 4
Bristol Street Motors Solihull Barons : 16
Hull Jets : 4
Bristol Street Motors Solihull Barons : 7
The Bristol Street Motors Solihull Barons clinched the Laidler Division title in style with a dominant performance against A45 derby rivals, the Coventry Blaze, on Saturday evening, part of a six point weekend.
While few would have predicted an upset in the Coventry tie, it took a while for the Barons to settle and it was approaching the seventh minute before Tom Soar got the opener off an assist by linemate Niklas Ottosson. Around five minutes later and Joe Henry had added number two for the Barons, making the most of a powerplay opportunity. A late first period goal by the Blaze's Matt Maurice saw things fairly evenly balanced as the sides headed to the dressing room with the Barons holding a 2:1 advantage.
The second period would however see the Barons hit their scoring stride with no fewer than eight goals in the second twenty, Josh Bruce, Perry Doyle and Andy Whitehouse among the scorers, as the Solihull team peppered Blaze netminder Graham Laverick's goal. The Blaze countered with two further goals by Maurice but the game was now running away from the Coventry side.
The final period saw the Baron's continue to torment Coventry with a further six goals, Jake Larkin completing a hat-trick, with Tomas Janak rounding off the scoring. The Blaze would get a consolation goal but really the night had been all about the Barons and their dominance of the league.
Sunday saw the Barons travel to Humberside to take on the Hull Jets in a double point game. It was slightly sluggish start for the new league champions with only a single goal advantage and a 4-3 scoreline after the first two periods of the game. The highlight probably being a brace of goals from Swedish import Niklas Ottosson, the first of which notched up an incredible 300 goals for the Barons squad this season.
By the final period the Barons had started to find some form, with further goals including the completion of his hat-trick by Ottosson to end the game with a relatively comfortable 7-4 margin.
Next week the Barons have a tricky double header, travelling to league runner-ups the Telford Tigers on Saturday before welcoming the Tigers to Solihull on Sunday evening. While league positions are no longer in doubt, pride will be at stake as the two sides go for the psychological advantage going into the Easter weekend playoffs.
Easter Weekend Laidler Play-offs
Tickets for the play-offs will be available to purchase at this weekend's Telford game or via info@pbsports.co.uk.
Match Tickets
Adults £10-00 Child/Concessions £5.00 Family £25.00
Week End Tickets
Adults £25.00 Child/Concessions £12.50 Family £60.00
Tickets available from John Butler info@pbsports.co.uk
0121 770 8000 (business hours) |
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@Coventry |
Barons goals : Larkin (3), Henry (2), Eaton (2), Janak (2), Soar (2), Crowe, Whitehouse, Bruce, Doyle, S Harrison
Barons assists : Ottoson (3), Selwood (3), Rogers (2), Knight (2), Bruce (2), Whitehouse (2), Crowe, Henry, Janak, Slater, Doyle, Soar
Barons Man of the Match : Jake Larkin |
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@Hull |
Barons goals : tba
Barons assists : tba
Barons Man of the Match : Phil Knight |
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NEXT HOME GAME
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The Barons welcome the Telford Tigers to Solihull for the Barons final home league game of the season. By that stage it is likely that the Barons will have clinched the Laidler title however with the Tigers likely to finish as runners up prode will be at stake in the road and home ties over the weekend.
It should therefore be a good tie with both teams keen to get the psychological advantage ahead of the upcoming play-offs.
Make it loud and ensure the Barons have that extra man on the ice ! |
Sunday 22nd March
Face-off : 6:00pm
Adults £7 : Concessions £3.50
Family ticket £20
(2 adults and up to 3 children)
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LEAGUE ROUND-UP
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Telford Tigers : 15
Bradford Bulldogs : 1
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Deeside Dragons : 8
Coventry Blaze : 2
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Nottingham Lions : 7
Blackburn Eagles : 3
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Telford Tigers : 8
Hull Jets : 0
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Bradford Bulldogs : 4
Deeside Dragons : 7
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Blackburn Eagles : 4
Sheffield Senators : 10
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