A45 Derby Lives up to Hype

By Gareth Thomson

Coventry NL Blaze 4
Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 5

The Motor Nation Solihull Barons edged a classic A45 Derby on Saturday evening in front of a large travelling crowd who had made the short trip to Coventry's Skydome.

A45 Derbies between the Barons and the Blaze have always had an edge thanks to geographical proximity and a common history. Throw in a large number of players swapping sides over the Summer and Saturday night's clash had all the halmarks of another classic.

The Barons were the first to set the goal lights ablaze just shy of five minutes. Mike Rodger flicking the puck back from the right hand goal line to an awaiting Ryan Selwood whose rocket left little chance for Connor Randby in the Blaze net.

This was not however to be a Barons walkover and within a few minutes the Blaze's Josh Gent capitalised on a Barons penalty to draw the two sides level again.

The two sides traded attacks for the remainder of the period and it would be the Barons Josh Bruce whose puck rang the Blaze post and in for Solihull's second of the evening a couple of minutes before the period end.

Again the Barons lead would be short lived. An error on a powerplay a minute into the second period gave the Blaze the chance to level the scores again. An interception by Tom Pease on the Barons blue line left the Solihull defence flat footed and as he passed to Josh Nicklin, no mistake was made to bring the home side level again.

The Blaze then took the lead via Miroslav Spisak, who was picked out by Adam Alfoldy for Coventry's third goal of the night.

Long term leads for both sides were proving illusive and Solihull too showed that they could strike back quickly. A powerful wrist shot from Rich Slater hit the post and Josh Bruce was there to convert the rebound to bring things level. The sides battled on for the remainder of the second however there would be no more scoring that period.

The final was looking like it might see the Barons start to exert full control over the game. A power play goal by Kieran Papps on the 48th minute gave the Barons a lead and when Charlie Hammerton tapped in from close in with five minutes to go it looked as though the Barons had it in the bag.

The Blaze however hit back quickly to ensure the two goal buffer was short lived.

More was to come however. The Blaze poured forward in the final few minutes in an effort to get some points from the game and frantic Barons defense gave way to penalties to set up a grandstand finish.

Exactly a minute to go and the Blaze were awarded a penalty shot. With both sets of support using only the last few millimetres of their seats, Blaze's Adam Alfoldy skated forward for the shot, Baron's man of the Match, netminder Sam Hewitt came forward, cutting down his options and did just enogh to see the shot hit the cross bar and go harmlessly past the goal.

The tension would continue for the final sixty seconds. With the Blaze on a powerplay and having pulled their netminder, a 6 on 4 play was only thwarted by a flawless Barons defence which held on for a well-earned victory.

The Blaze and Barons meet three more times with the next clash at Hobs Moat on 10th December. If it can match the entertainment of Saturday's game it will be well worth anyone's entrance money - be there !

Barons Goals : Selwood, Bruce(2), Papps, Charlie Hammerton

Barons Assists : Selwood, Richard Slater, Eley, Doyle, Rodger, McWilliams(3)

Barons Man of the Match : Sam Hewitt

Next Home Game The Barons welcome the Sheffield Senators to Hobs Moat in their next home tie. The Senators always put on a good show, their youthful side always well drilled and determined so it will be a good game. Make sure you make it to the rink to support the Barons. Sunday 22nd September Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)