Barons frustrated by outstanding Levers

By Gareth Thomson

Nearly 500 loyal Motor Nation Solihull Barons fans went away from Hobs Moat ice rink disappointed on Sunday evening after the home side went down to defeat against the Nottingham Lions with the Lions netminder Alan Levers holding off 68 of the Barons 70 shots.

It was the Barons who started, at least on the face of it, much the brighter, with the majority of play happening in the Lions defensive zone and shots peppering the Lions goal area. With probably the league's best net minder Alan Levers between the pipes, the Lions were however happy to simply soak up the pressure. Playing defensively much of the time with four of their skaters in their own zone, the Lions kept a free forward patrolling the Barons blue line waiting for the breakout pass.

Sure enough on the twelfth minute Barons netminder Josh Nicholls found himself on the wrong end of a defenceless breakaway and while he skilfully parried this, he was unable to repeat the feat a minute later as ex-Baron Neil Adams made the most of his opportunity to open the scoring for the Lions.

The Lions would retain their lead until just before the half hour mark when Barons continued pressure would see them finally find the Nottingham net as Mikey Rodger converted from close in on a Barons powerplay.

Hopes that the goal might produce some scoring momentum for the Barons were however short lived. Within minutes Solihull began to pick up a series of soft penalties to see them serve out much of the final five minutes of the period two men down. The Lions, in the form of Craig Wallis needed no second asking when presented with such an opportunity. The Nottingham defenceman quickly converted to restore the Lions lead, while 10 seconds later, Wallis shot from the Solihull blue for the Lions third - despite much debate as to whether the puck did actually find the net. 

The final period saw the Barons chasing the game but Levers continued to hold strong in the Nottingham net. With two and a half minutes to go Rich Slater finally found a way through the Lions defence to set up an exciting couple of minutes as the Barons frantically hoped to salvage a point from the game but sadly this was not to be.

The Barons will regroup in training this week before heading for a tricky away tie in North Wales next Sunday when they take on the Deeside Dragons. The following weekend, Sunday 20th October, sees the Barons back on home ice, when the welcome the Hull NL stingrays to Hobs Moat. face-off 6pm.

The Barons will regroup in training this week before heading for a tricky away tie in North Wales next Sunday when they take on the Deeside Dragons. The following weekend, Sunday 20th October, sees the Barons back on home ice, when the welcome the Hull NL Stingrays to Hobs Moat. face-off 6pm.

Barons Goals : Rodger, Richard Slater

Barons Assists : Rodger, Bruce, Henry

Barons Man of the Match : Mike Rodger

Next Away Game The Barons travel to North Wales this Sunday to take on the Deeside Dragons in what is bound to be an entertaining tie. Places are available on the coach to Deeside - see more here

Next Home Game The Barons welcome the Hull NL Stingrays to Hobs Moat for the first time in the 2013-14 Laidler Conference season. Hull have shown themselves over the last couple of years to be the most unpredictable of sides having pushed the Nottingham Lions to a draw but also being roundly beaten by Deeside Dragons. Which Stingrays side shows up is anyone's guess but the Barons willl need to be on top form to avoid any upsets. Make sure you make it to the rink to support the Barons. Sunday 20th October Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)