Solihull Barons, the Dragon Slayers !

Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 5
Deeside Dragons : 2

Sunday 1st December 2013

When teams come to Hobs Moat from North Wales you know you can expect good, tightly contested games and Sunday's Laidler Conference ice hockey tie against the league leading Deeside Dragons ticked all the requisite boxes.

The game got off to a ferocious start, with neither side seeing much point in pulling out of the hard checks, and it was the Barons who were first to put a mark on the scoresheet. After only two minutes a shot by Ryan Selwood took deflections off of Tomas Janak and Perry Doyle before finding the Deeside net.

The Barons lead doubled on the seven minute mark, Tomas Janak and Josh Bruce combining to give a wide open Joe Henry a perfect opportunity to put the puck past George Cox in the Deeside net.

A lofted clearance from the defensive zone by Richard Crowe found Jake Larkin centre ice who caught the airbourne puck on his thigh, deflected it to the ice before smashing it home for the Barons number 3.

The league leading Dragons had obviously been caught on the back-foot and an early time out was called which appeared to steady the Welsh side's nerves. Their opportunity to respond would come within two minutes when a powerplay chance would be readily converted by Deeside import Dan Soderberg-Andersson. Another couple of minutes and as the Barons struggled to clear their lines the Dragon's James Parsons cut the Barons lead back to a single goal.

The second period gradually saw the Barons return to the offensive. Continual pressure on the Deeside net saw tempers flare at the half hour mark, resulting in Rob Eley of the Barons and Deeside's Michael Jones being invited to have a 10 minute spell warming the penalty bench.

The Barons pressure continued however and was finally rewarded in the thirteenth minute of the period when Ryan Selwood was picked out by Joe Henry for the Barons fourth goal of the evening.

Deeside had their chances too but solid Barons defence, include a spectacular, flat on the ice, poke check from Phil Lee together with, solid net-minding from Josh Nicholls and a bit of luck ensured they were unable to capitalise.

The final period saw the Barons quickly extend their lead, a slick pass from Tomas Janak gave Joe Henry his second and Solihull's fifth goal of the evening, a minute into the period. Barons domination continued until the final ten minutes of the game when both sides picked up a slew of minor penalties resulting in very little five on five play for the remainder of the game.

Some late excitement was generated when Phil Lee was judged to have checked a Deeside player from behind and the resulting fracas saw a bout of rough stuff with Lee getting the better of Deeside's Peter Gazda.

A good win then for the Barons against a Deeside team which had only lost a competitive tie once previously this season.

The Barons now have a week off before they travel to Flintshire on the 15th December to once more do battle with the Dragons. The following Saturday, the 21st, they travel to Blackburn Eagles, who despite being perennially propping up the league table will be buoyed by their first win in a long time, a home victory against Widnes Wild. Places on the Barons coach to these away games are available here. On Sunday 22nd, twenty Barons a skating will hope to bring some festive cheer to the Solihull support when they play host to big rivals the Nottingham Lions. With pride and points up for grab it promises to be a tough and entertaining game. Make sure you are there !  Face-off back to the normal time of 6pm.

After the game there will be a chance for you to join the Barons on the ice in a sponsored skate in aid of the well-known local cause "Help Harry Help Others"  - please come along and give your support.

Barons goals : Doyle, Henry(2), Larkin, Selwood
Barons assists : Janak(2), Bruce(2), Lee, Selwood, Henry, Crowe
Barons man of the match : Tomas Janak

Next Home Game The Barons welcome the Lions to Hobs Moat for the second time this season and will be looking to notch up the points against the only team in the Laidler Conference they have yet to beat. It will be a highly charged and competitive tie so make sure you make it to the rink to support the Barons, make it loud and ensure they have that extra man on the ice ! This game will also feature a Sponsored Skate with the Barons in aid of Help Harry Help Others so come take to the ice with your favourite team. Click image above for a poster to advertise this initiative to friends and colleagues. Note the face-off is back to our normal 6:00pm time slot. Sunday 22nd December Face-off : 6:00pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children) Next Away Games Deeside 15th Dec Blackburn 21st Dec The Barons next two ties are away and include a big game at Deeside in a copule of weeks. Limited places are available on the team coach - click here for more info. Deeside seats are going fast !