Bristol Street Motors Solihull Barons 7 : 5 Deeside Dragons
8th March 2015
Dave Rogers gets the Barons final goal of the night. Ryan Selwood took objection to the Dragons at the end of the first period.
Perry felt something a little lumpy as he skated to the boards.
It was a four point evening for Rich Slater
 
Barons Man of the Match, Sam Hewitt
 
Dragons Man of the Match, Tomas Mitrik

Bristol Street Motors Solihull Barons : 7
Deeside Dragons : 5

After the previous weekend's scare away at Deeside the Bristol Street Motors Solihull Barons stepped onto the ice keen to avoid a repeat in the return fixture at the Solihull rink. The Barons would however have a tough game against a determined and fast charging Dragons side.

Things got off to a tricky start for the Barons when a soft Tomas Janak penalty put the Dragons on the powerplay within the first minute. It would however be the Barons who made the most of the extra space on the ice with the shorthanded forward line of Rich Slater and Joe Henry working to give the latter the Barons opening goal. The Barons continued to remain on the offensive for much of the first period but a rapid attack by the Dragons just after ten minutes saw the Welsh side draw even and marked a brief spell of Deeside offensive play.

The Barons worked to pin them back with this effort bearing fruit with five minutes of the period to go, Niklas Ottosson from the goal line finding a charging Ed Eaton racing up centre ice to give the Barons goal number 2. The score would remain 2-1 in favour of the Barons however the period ended with an altercation as the Barons Ryan Selwood and Deeside's Tomas Mitrik shared differences.

The Barons extended their lead to a margin of two, five minutes into the second period, Joe Henry having all the time of the day to pick his spot above a sprawling Matty Compton. Two minutes later however and a rapid Deeside breakaway cut through the Barons defence, Mick Jones getting the goal. By thirty three minutes the Barons had restored their two goal lead, Rich Slater with a tap in from a few feet. A minute later and the Barons  pulled out a three goal buffer for the first time in the evening. Niklas Ottosson's dramatic waltz up the ice ending in a blocked shot but catching the rebound the Swede found Daniel Harrison in space and the defenceman made no mistake for Barons goal number five. By period end the Barons scoring was in free flow with Dave Rogers and Joe Henry taking the tally to 7-2 by the 40 minute mark.

The final period began with a goal for the Dragons, Andrew Chappell finding the net, the Welsh side making the most of the period break to recharge their short bench. The play would continue in the Barons end and Deeside would be rewarded with a second goal within the first five minutes of the restart, Tomas Mitrik this time. By eight minutes the Dragons had pulled to within two goals of the Barons previously solid lead, Chris Jones putting the puck through the ironwork. The remainder of the period would see the Dragons throw all their efforts into salvaging what points they could from the tie however the Barons would hang on for the 7-5 win.

The Barons have a busy weekend coming up with a six point away double-header. Solihull, alongside a large travelling support, take the short hop along the A45 on Saturday to take on the Coventry Blaze, a game which will see them clinch the league title with a draw or better, while on Sunday they travel to Hull for a double points game against the Jets.

The Barons are back on home ice on Sunday the 22nd March when they welcome second place side and local rivals the Telford Tigers to Hobs Moat, the Tigers having hosted the Barons the previous evening.

v Deeside

Barons goals : Henry (3), D Harrison, Rogers, Eaton, Slater
Barons assists : Slater (3), Doyle (2), Ottosson (2), D Harrison, Eley, Soar
Barons MoM : Sam Hewitt




NEXT HOME GAME

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)


LEAGUE ROUND-UP
_____________
Widnes Wild : 10
Bradford Bulldogs : 0
_____________
Hull Jets : 1
Sheffield Senators : 8
_____________
Widnes Wild : 6
Coventry Blaze : 2
_____________
Bradford Bulldogs : 5
Blackburn Eagles : 6
2015 Laidler Division Play-Offs
The Barons are delighted to confirm the return of the EIHA Laidler Division Play-Offs to Solihull for the second Year running.

Again the tournament will run over the Easter weekend with the semi-finals being held on Saturday 4th April and Sunday 5th April. The final will be held on Monday 6th April. All games will face-off at 6:30pm.

At present the Barons, Telford Tigers and Sheffield Senators have secured play-off spots, with the remaining spot being fought over by the Widnes Wild, Nottingham Lions, Hull Jets and Deeside Dragons.

Any company or organisation interested in sponsorship packages for the tournament should contact us via solihullbarons@gmail.com. More info on the tournament soon.
 
Original photography courtesy of Keith & Jenny Davies