Barons ease their way to Top of Table

Blackburn Eagles : 2
Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 7
21st December 2013

Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 7
Nottingham Lions : 1
22nd December 2013

On Saturday the Motor Nation Solihull Barons made the trip North to visit Laidler Conference basement side the Blackburn Eagles knowing a Barons win would confirm them as league leaders come Christmas day. An easy win was probably to be expected but with the Barons missing both of their regular keepers and with Blackburn showing signs of distinct improvement. The Barons had a relatively comfortable first period putting three past Blackburn for no loss however in the second Blackburn showed some of their recent form pulling back two goals against one more for the Barons. Ultimately however the Barons class told and they emerged a relatively comfortable 7-2 winner, man of the match going to stand in netminder Dave Sutton.

Sunday however was on paper always going to be more of a challenge as the Barons took on the Nottingham Lions, a side who have narrowly beaten the Barons twice already this season. With the puck being dropped on the game by Olympic speed skating hopeful Jon Eley and with a post game skate with the Barons in aid of Help Harry Help Others, it was vital that the clash itself delivered.

The game opened with both sides taking the chance to test the other with Sam Hewitt in net for the Barons and Alan Levers of the Lions being called on for early saves. On the seventh minute the deadlock was broken, a well worked play having Perry Doyle feed Joe Henry who in turn found Tomas Janak on the half boards who made the most of the opportunity to put the Barons 1-0 up.

By mid period both sides started taking a series of minor penalties resulting in little 4 on 4 play. It was the Lions who were the first to convert a power play when just after 16 minutes as a short handed Josh Bruce breakaway was countered with a solo effort by Nottingham's Polish import, Slawomir Kasprzak to bring the sides level.

A minute later however Perry Doyle restored the Barons lead, a tap in on the Lions right hand post taking a lift over Levers stick to allow the Barons to go to the dressing room 2-1 up.

The lead was immediately extended following the restart, Tomas Janak lofting the puck beyond the busy Alan Levers for the Barons number three. This set the tone for much of the second period with Solihull keeping the Lions caged in their own end. The pressure was rewarded just before the half hour, Ryan Selwood during a powerplay finding acres of open net on the Nottingham far post to further extend the Barons lead.

Toward the end of the period the Lions started to try to push forward a little more however a minute before the interval a breakway by the Barons saw Rich Slater push the tally up 5 for Solihull.

The final period saw more of the same with the Barons continually on the offensive and Nottingham seemingly unable to do much by way of countering. A Joe Henry breakaway down the right wing gave the Barons number 6 while Rich Slater took a pass from brother Eddie during a period of 4 on 4 play to give the Barons their magnificent seven.

A convincing and extremely important win therefore for the Barons and one which sets them up well for the second half of the season.

The Barons still have a little more work to do before the buzzer sounds on 2013. Next Sunday they travel to Sheffield to take on the tricky Senators but will be back on home ice on Sunday 5th January when the Blackburn Eagles make the trip down to Hobs Moat. Face-off 6pm.

Next Home Game The Barons welcome the Eagles to Hobs Moat for the second time this season and will be looking to notch up the points against the hard working Blackburn side.   Sunday 5th January Face-off : 6:00pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children) Next Away Game Sheffield Senators 29th Dec Limited places are available on the team coach - click here for more info.