Barons stun Lions to keep play off hopes alive
By Gareth Thomson
A season record crowd of over 800 loyal Barons fans descended on the Solihull rink, as icy out as it was in, to cheer on the boys in red and white in their efforts to clinch a National Ice Hockey league promotion play off place.
On paper it should have been a close tie but on the Hobs Moat ice, the Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons scored a comfortable win over league champions the Nottingham Lions and in doing so kept their chances of a play-off promotion opportunity very much alive. What made the result all the more remarkable was the Barons playing large parts of the game short handed.
Despite having the title won, the Nottingham Lions arrived in Solihull with a full roster, missing only talismanic netminder Sam Gospel who was away on duty for Elite Champions the Nottingham Panthers.
From the puck drop it was obvious the Barons wanted the result as much as they needed it. Rob Eley opened the scoring just after nine minutes, making the most of good face-off work by Jake Larkin and Charlie Hammerton to slot the puck home off the left hand side of goal crease. Two minutes later and the Barons top scorer Rich Slater picked up the Barons second from close in.
A few minutes later and things were not looking too good for Slater as a high-stick to the face from the Lions Joe Wightman saw the Barons forward lying prone on the ice. The resulting penalty saw Lions dangerman Wightman sent to the dressing room, while Rob Eley was also given his marching orders for his part in some of the afters.
The remainder of the first saw the Barons playing most of the time a man down and while the Lions failed to capitalise, the Barons ambitions were curtailed.
The second period started much the same as the first ended with the Barons continually a man down through a series of penalties, some soft, some silly. A stout Barons defence from first pairing Phil Lee and Chris Allen and the second line of Eddie Slater and Adz Andrews thwarted much of the Lions efforts while Solihull net minder Sam Hewitt helped maintain the Barons two goal cushion with a series of crucial saves. Toward the period close, a beautifully worked effort saw the Barons Andy Whitehouse on the attack. Unable to get a shot away he took the puck round the back of the Lions net before releasing a pass, sweetly timed to meet Mike Rodger racing from the bench who launched a unstoppable shot for the Barons third goal of the night. |
The third period saw the Barons begin to stretch their legs with three goals in three minutes. A patched up Rich Slater got the Barons fourth, sneaking the puck under Lions keeper Alan Leavers, with Joe Henry picking up a rebound to put Solihull five up, while a race up the wing saw Dave Rogers loft the Barons sixth into the Lions net.
Jake Larkin joined in the fun with a tapped in rebound for goal number seven, while Joe Henry finished the Barons scoring with a calmly executed short handed breakaway goal.
While the scoring was finished, the action wasn't. A clash along the boards saw the Lions Ryan Rathbone go down injured from a challenge by Mike Rodger. The resulting handbags saw young Lion Jo Steeples face up to the Barons fearsome Perry Doyle. With player after player having this season turned down a chance to scrap with Doyle the result was only going one way and sure enough Steeples earned a sore face but no little respect for his efforts.
The Barons now travel to Nottingham this Sunday knowing a win will give them second place in Division 2 and with it a chance to face local rivals, the Coventry Blaze, to decide which of the two West Midlands side plays in Division 1 for 2013-14.
Goals : Henry (2), R Slater (2), Rodger, Rogers, Eley, Larkin
Assists : Henry (2), E Slater (2), R Slater (2), A Whitehouse (2), Allen (2), C Hammerton (2), Smith, Lee
Man of the Match : Sam Hewitt
Statement from Barons chairman John Butler in thanks for the tremendous support the Barons have seen this season.
_____________________________
On behalf of Darren, and the rest of the committee, I would like to thank every single supporter for coming out in terrible weather conditions and supporting the Barons last night. The attendance was a great effort, and I am sure you will all agree the performance was excellent. You were all very much a part of this victory by offering such wonderful vocal support. Thanks again to all of you.
John. |
| Barons Bus to Nottingham |
 |
| Fancy joining us for the final league game of the season - then join us on the Barons Bus - more here |
|
|
