Graft and flair combine as Barons lift the Steve Perks Trophy.

Coach Darren Bellerby was delighted with a committed Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons performance in Sunday evenings league and Steve Perks memorial trophy game against the Deeside Dragons. Speaking of the 650 fans who packed the Hobs Moat rink to watch the thrilling game he said, "I think everyone got their money's worth tonight ! It was a really great game. Whether it was the crowd, the home ice or the fact that the end of the season is in sight I don't know but it was our best team performance of the year and I really couldn't fault anyone."

Each year a fixture, expected to be among the most entertaining of the year, is selected in memory of the much missed Barons fan, as The Steve Perks Memorial Trophy game and Sunday evenings fixture was a classic more than worthy of the award.

The game got off to a rocking start with both sides showing they would not be backing down any time soon, high levels of commitment and penalty trading through the first ten minutes of the game. On thirteen minutes the Barons Joe Henry and Deeside's Richard Hughes found themselves in an altercation having traded slashes and cross-checks. Barons captain Perry Doyle, jumped out of the penalty box to protect his first line forward, but this gave the officials little option but to send Doyle to the showers early.

The resulting powerplay saw Deeside open the scoring through Peter Founds but despite this setback and the loss of their captain, the Barons simply upped the effort across every one of their lines.

No more goals would be scored in the first period but the Barons maintained their focus into the second. This was rewarded with the equaliser five minutes into the second. Joe Henry in a powerplay finding Mike Rodger on the point who skipped along the blue line before scoring square with the goal. A Rich Slater breakaway down the left hand ice was then met by Neil Adams crashing in towards the Deeside goal crease to put the Barons into the lead for the first time of the night.

The Barons then went two to the good as Joe Henry managed a crafty wrap around goal, though the luxury of the two goal buffer was quickly snuffed out.

Off the restart Deeside immediately clawed a goal back via James Parsons playing from his knees and within a minute Tom King had levelled it for the Dragons to set up a barn-storming final twenty.

The Barons commitment was not showing any signs of letting up. Rich Slater breaking away after five minutes of the third period to score a superb short handed goal. The Dragons Peter Founds balanced things up again via a powerplay within a minute through a scrappy poke in goal through Barons netminder Sam Hewitt's pads.

The Barons made the most of a powerplay for their fifth, Joe Henry lofting a sweet shot past Matty Compton in the Dragons nets.

On the restart, the Barons were immediately pressing the Dragons nets. There were no goals this time, but the resulting scrum saw Solihull's Rob Eley pairing up with Deeside's Richard Hughes for a bit of Dancing on Ice. Who was Keith Chegwin and who Joe Pasquale was not exactly clear in a fairly even fight but the Barons forward emerged with the take down.

With still only a goal in it, it was Solihull’s man of the match Richard Slater who took the honour of getting goals six and seven for Solihull, the latter an in from round the back of the net during a 5 on 3 powerplay.

Deeside's Peter Founds got some personal satisfaction with a late hat trick goal but the hard graft of the home side ensured the points and the Steve Perks Memorial trophy went to Solihull.

A strong team performance saw the Barons emerge from the dressing rooms with smiles on their faces. First line defenceman, Eddie Slater spoke of the hard work of his side, "Losing Perry early on was a blow, but we just stuck to our plan. Everyone put their all into every shift, blocked shots, made the hits and did what was needed to get the win."

The Barons will be back on the Solihull ice this weekend when they take on the Blackburn Eagles in what will be the penultimate home game of the season. It will be a long Summer with no hockey so make the most of your chances to support this seasons Barons. Face off 6pm.

Goals : R Slater (3), Henry (2), Adams, Rodger
Assists : Rogers, Henry, Adams (2), R Slater, Eley (2), Bakalar, Rodger, Lee (2)
Man of the Match : Richard Slater  

Next Home Game Sunday 3rd March The Barons face the Blackburn Eagles this Sunday in the penultimate home game of the season. 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)