Rays sting disappointed Barons

by Gareth Thomson

The Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons struggled to make the most of their opportunities against a hard working and short-benched Hull Stingrays side who took a share of the points back to Humberside on Sunday night.

The Barons started the clash in convincing form, dominating both the possession and the attacking opportunities throughout the first period. A total of 36 shots peppered every corner of the Hull goal in the first 20 minutes but the Solihull side were only able to convert two of these. Rich Slater found the goal for the seventh time of the season after just three minutes, while Adz Andrews added to this mid period with a shot from just outside the half-boards. Despite their dominance, it was a mis-timed pass on the Barons blue line late in the period, was seized on by Hull Captain James Cobley to trim the Barons advantage to a single goal by the period end.

Barons man of the match, Jake Larkin, took his chance for Solihull early in the second period to once again extend the lead to two goals. While still not matching Solihull in terms of possession, the Stingrays however showed they had shaken off the worst of their bus legs and started to threaten on the break.

A frantic two minute spell just after the half hour mark saw the scoreline change three times. Hull's Cobley got his second goal of the match while Mike Rodger scored the Barons fourth from close in, before young Stingray Sam Towner sent a blistering shot into the roof of the Barons net.

Hull netminder Warren Gilfoyle was sent to the showers early after lashing out at a prone Toni Scialdone setting up a 5 minute powerplay for the Barons to close out the second. Failure to capitalise however saw the Barons enter the final period with only a single goal advantage.

The final period again showed much of the same form with the Barons holding the balance of possession and Hull making the most of their opportunities, Cobley's hat-trick five minutes from the end bringing the sides level.

A tense final five minutes saw a short handed Barons desperately try to regain their advantage, with Lui Brindle coming closest. A shot from the boards went behind the Hull keeper and then an agonising few inches wide of the Stingray's far post.

A point won and a point lost in a game they largely dominated for the Barons in their quest for league success. With fellow title challengers Deeside Dragons and Nottingham Lions also playing out a draw the table stays much as it was.

The Barons are on the road for the next two weekends and the Solihull side will be aiming to secure all four points. On Saturday they face a tricky fixture as they travel to form side the Sheffield Senators, with a visit to basement side the Blackburn Eagles a week on Sunday.

The Barons return to the Hobs Moat ice on the 11th November when they will again take on the Senators. Make sure you get yourself down to the rink to give Darren Bellerby and his boys your support.

Goals : R Slater, Andrews, Larkin, Rodger
Assists : Adams, Eley (2), Allen, Hunt (2), Knight, Larkin
Man of the Match : Jake Larkin