Barons Reel in Stingrays

Hull NL Stingrays 3
Solihull Barons 8

By Gareth Thomson

The Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons visited the port city of Hull on Sunday and came away with a convincing win as they saw the Hull Stingrays act like flat fish and flounder.

Despite the scoreline, this season’s Hull roster had shown themselves to be a strong side, drawing against the Barons earlier in the year and earning a win against league leaders the Nottingham Lions the previous weekend.

With nothing to be taken for granted the Barons took to the Yorkshire ice well prepared for the challenge ahead. A mix of nerves and “bus legs” saw the Solihull side slow to start and by the end of the first period Hull had scored two goals countered by a single from the Baron’s Jake Larkin.

By the second twenty minute period the blood had begun to get into the legs of the Solihull side and a five minute spell mid period saw the Barons net four times via Rich Slater, Erik Bakalar, Phil Knight and Neil Adams to leave the Hull side all at sea.

With the Barons in control the final session saw veteran defenceman Phil Lee notch up the Barons sixth via his favourite blue line slap shot. The period however belonged to man of the match Erik Bakalar.

As one of the Barons imports, the Slovak may not have the CV of the Barons ex-NHL captain Chris Allen, or the flashy play of Mike Rodger but Bakalar puts his all into every shift and has a strong sense for gaps in front of goal.

An outstanding long pass from Phil Knight found Bakalar who shot a perfectly targeted effort into the top corner of the Hull net for the goal of the night. With ten minutes to go Bakalar then earned his hat trick and the Man of the Match award with the Barons final goal of the evening.

Barons coach Darren Bellerby was rightly happy with the result, “The team were defensively solid but we had to battle the referees some of the time.”

Assistant Captain Phil Lee was also pleased with the team effort “It was an all round good performance and an outstanding performance from Erik Bakalar. The team was a bit ‘nervey’ in the first period but never looked in difficulty even when 2-1 down.”

This win sets the Barons up for this Sunday’s table topping battle when the Nottingham Lions step onto the Solihull ice in a massive fixture for both sides as they chase title glory. The meeting will be a high tempo affair with no quarters given and a large crowd is expected to make it to the Hobs Moat rink. Face off 6pm – make sure you are there !

Goals : Bakalar (3), Larkin, Adams, R Slater, Lee, Knight
Assists : Henry (3), Adams (2), Knight, Andrews, R Slater, Bakalar, Allen (2)
Man of the Match : Erik Bakalar

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Next Home Game Sunday 9th December 2012 This will be a crucial game for the Barons as they take on league leaders the Nottingham Lions. Make sure you make it down to the rink and give the boys your support ! Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)