Barons clinch victory in derby day thriller

Solihull Barons 7-5 Coventry ENL Blaze
By Matt Johnson, Barons Press Officer

Solihull Barons supporters turned out in force to witness their side’s thrilling 7-5 victory over Coventry ENL Blaze in a heated A45 derby at Hobs Moat Road.

The 811 strong crowd were treated to a display of frenetic derby day hockey that swung both ways, but in the end was decided by two goals in the final two minutes from Tom Parker and Richard Slater to secure victory for Solihull.

The Barons have strengthened in numbers, and morale, since the 9-2 drubbing by Coventry at the Skydome two months ago, including the re-signing of former captain Rob Eley, and the talismanic forward bagged himself two goals on his return to action.

As in the previous game against Billingham Stars, the Barons left themselves with a mountain to climb after conceding two first period goals. But early in the second, a resurgent Solihull immediately drew level at 2-2 with goals in the first two minutes courtesy of Lui Brindle’s angled drive and the returning Eley, to bring the rivalry clash to life.

Coventry responded instantly to retake the lead, but the period ended 3-3 when Richard Slater skated through one-on-one before coolly slotting past Adam Goss in the Coventry goal.

The electric atmosphere in the rink was met with some pulsating hockey in a penalty littered final period, with all six goals coming on the powerplay.

Once again, the home side struck twice early on to go 5-3 ahead through Erik Bakalar’s drive into the roof of the net and Eley’s second of the game, but Coventry had pegged their hosts back to 5-5 by the 49th minute to leave both sides with it all to play for.

In a frenzied final ten minutes, it was ill discipline that eventually cost the Blaze when Tom Pease and Rikki Bryniarski were kicked out of the game. From the resulting five-on-three powerplay, Tom Parker was left free to rifle home with two minutes remaining to put the Barons ahead and all but seal the victory.

Richard Slater added a sugar coating to the score line in the final few seconds to send the home faithful into raptures, tapping into an unguarded net after the Blaze had pulled the goalie in search of an equalizer to cap a memorable 7-5 win for Darren Bellerby’s Barons.

Solihull bid to make it three games unbeaten for the first time this season when they take on Sheffield Spartans on Sunday. Face-off for the tie is at 6pm with tickets priced at £6 adults and £3 concessions.

Goals: Brindle, Eley (2), R Slater (2), Bakalar, Parker
Assists: Parker (2), Ayres (3), Scialdone, Bakalar, Lee (2), R Slater (2), Perks, Eley
Man of the match: Rob Eley