Dragons Fire burns Barons

by Gareth Thomson

A disappointing performance by the Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons saw them come away pointless from their National Ice Hockey league encounter at Deeside Dragons on Sunday.

With the top four sides in the league closely matched it was vital for both the Barons and the Dragons to clinch the win and the two points which go with it and it was Solihull who started much the stronger. After five minutes Barons Captain Chris Allen netted via passes circulated back by Jake Larkin and Joe Henry. The lead would only last three minutes however as Deeside's Jordan Bannon broke clear in the neutral zone to fire in the Dragons first goal.

Despite this setback, the first half of the first period was very much owned by the Barons, Rich Slater knocking in a shot from Chris Allen in the 11th minute with Allen himself getting his second goal less than a minute later via a shot between the Dragons keeper's legs to put the Barons into a healthy 3-1 lead. This was as good as it got for the Barons.

As the game wore on the Barons defensive frailties began to show. Missing a number of blue liners due to injury and suspension and with both forward and defensive lines lacking crispness, it was Deeside who started to take the ascendency. By the end of the first, James Parsons had cut the Dragons deficit to a single goal via a shot which looped up over netminder Hayden Laverick and into the Barons net.

A 5 on 3 powerplay for the Barons early in the second should have restored the Solihull advantage but stout Deeside defence and lack of penetration by the Solihull forwards saw too much of the opportunity spent at the the wrong end of the ice. Once back to full strength there was little holding the Dragons, with two goals scored without answer around the half hour mark to give the Welsh side the scoring advantage for the first time in the game.

If the large travelling support hoped that the Barons would up their game in the third period they would be disappointed. The momentum was with the Dragons and on home ice they produced increasingly clinical forward play to exploit any Barons lapses. The period was only a couple of minutes old when the Dragons Ben Simister skated through the Barons defence to put the puck on net. Netminder Hayden Laverick lay on the ice in vain hope of trapping the puck only for it to trickle into the net. Rich Slater took the opportunity of a late powerplay for the Barons to loft a well directed shot into the Deeside net to offer the possibility of a late comeback. The Dragons snuffed out these hopes almost immediately, Shaun Kippin taking advantage of a powerplay to round off the Dragons scoring for the night and give them the two points.

While an undoubted set back, the Barons take to home ice against the Sheffield Senators this Sunday at 6pm, hopeful of getting back to winning ways. The game will also support The Friends of Solihull Hospital and a big home crowd is expected to roar the Barons on. Make sure you are among them !

Goals : Allen (2), Slater R (2)
Assists : Henry (2), Larkin (2), Allen (2)
Man of the Match : Perry Doyle

Next Home Game The Barons face the Senators in a game supporting the Friends of Solihull Hospital. Give the Boys your Support & make sure you're there ! Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)