Barons lose out in penalty riddled performance against Hawks

Solihull Barons 2 - 8 Blackburn Hawks

By Gareth Thomson, Barons’Web Editor

Despite some recent good performances, the Solihull Barons are still struggling to produce the level of consistency necessary to compete in North 1, with a defeat against the Hawks on Sunday.

Controversy marred the start of the game with the Baron's Martin O'Brien and the Hawk's Tom King scuffling as the teams skated out onto the ice. The result of this was match penalties all round and a delayed start.

Whether this impacted the respective teams attitudes to the game is unclear, but what was clear was the Hawks speed out of the blocks, catching the Solihull team unawares with a goal by Jared Owen in the first minute of the game.

The Hawks doubled their lead through Ric Hughes mid-period before the Barons lines steadied and began to apply some pressure to the Hawks goal.

Sadly for the Solihull side, the Hawks started the second period much as they had begun the first with their third goal being scored just over half a minute after the puck drop.

No sooner had the game restarted than the Barons conceded a fourth goal.

Some hope was given to the loyal supporters in the 24th minute when a long range shot from defenceman Phil Lee was tipped into goal by Erik Bakalar.

Sadly this was not to be a repeat of the spectacular comeback from a couple of weeks earlier when a 3 goal deficit against the Nottingham Lions was overhauled.

Instead a series of penalties for both sides led to a scrappy end to the period in which the Hawks scored their fifth via Sami Narkia.

The two sides traded goals in the first five minutes of the final period, a Phil Lee slapshot going staight through the Hawks defence and into their net.

For the remainder of the game the Barons were continually on the penalty kill, often 5 and even 6 on 3 leading to the loss of two more goals.

A further Hawks goal was avoided despite a penalty shot being awarded. Solihull's Toni Scialdone was adjuged to have lain on the puck in a frantic scramble defending the Barons goal. The Hawks much touted new Finnish import, Sami Narkia, stepped up to the mark but was left disappointed by an outstanding save by Hayden Laverick.

The match ended with Dale Buckland and Christopher Arnone having an entertaining scuffle in the last minute.

Eddie Slater was awarded the man of the match award for the Barons for a determined two-way performance in defence.

The Barons must now regroup in time for next weekend's home game against league leaders, the Billingham Stars. While this will be a tough game, all the players will be keen to show their very best against the team to beat.

Face-off 6pm Sunday 20th November

Goals: Bakalar, Lee
Assists: Lee, Buckland, Whiehouse
Man of the match: Eddie Slater