Stars Fall to Determined Barons

By Gareth Thomson

The Motor Nation Solihull Barons emerged victorious over the Oxford City Stars on Sunday evening as they took to the ice for the first time of the season.

A strong crowd took their first chance to view the 2013-14 Barons complete with a raft of new players in a rare tie against Southern opposition in a fixture supporting Birmingham Childrens Hospital.

The first period showed that the Stars were a good choice of pre-season opposition, combining enthusiasm with strong technical skills. These challenged the Barons new lines as they initially struggled to apply any concerted offensive pressure and it was a well taken effort by Joe Oliver of the Stars on a powerplay which opened the scoring on twelve minutes. Before the period close, hard work by Connor Hubbuck found none other than Barons legend Rob Eley to even things up at the interval.

The second period was a strong effort by the Solihull boys, the lines started to click and in a surprisingly physical challenge game the Barons tactics started to pay off. A powerplay five minutes in gave another Barons stalwart, Phil Lee the chance with Eley to show that the new signings were not going to get all the headlines as the defenceman drilled a bullet of a shot into the stars net.

Ten minutes later and a slick pass from new signing Ryan Selwood found Andy Whitehouse in space to put the Barons into a comfortable 3-1 lead by the period end.

The Stars are however a good side and emerged for the third with their heads up. A breakaway by the Stars Andrew Cox a few minutes in, left Sam Hewitt in the Barons goal  exposed and sprawling for the puck as Darren Elliott converted. Within a few minutes the Barons were down to three men on the ice, agitation from the Stars drawing penalties and the Oxford men made the most of the chance to bring the sides level via Joshua Oliver.

Rich Slater, the Barons top scorer over the last couple of years quickly restored Solihull's lead firing in from his right wing position, while things were effectively wrapped up for the evening as Ryan Selwood gave the Barons their fifth of the evening with a well executed shot from the left hand point.

A good result, and more importantly the sort of highly competitive game the Barons will need before the season proper starts.

This Sunday the Barons take on the Nottingham Lions, a big rival and with the Barons, one of the favourites for the new Laidler Conference, in a challenge which will support Cure Leukaemia for Kids. Face-off 6pm. There is no other place to be on Sunday night !

Barons goals : Eley, Lee, Whitehouse, Rich Slater, Selwood
Barons assists : Henry, Selwood (2), R Slater, Papps, Bruce (2), Rodger, C Hammerton, Hubbuck
Barons man of the match : Ryan Selwood

Perry Doyle Boxing Kit A raffle in aid of the Barons support of Birmingham Children's Hospital was held at the game to win the kit worn by Perry Doyle in his boxing debut on Friday night. A total of £208 was raised by the raffle though we hope to add to this over the next few weeks.

Next Home Game The Barons will face big rivals, the Nottingham Lions in a pre-season challenge this Sunday 25th August. Both sides will be keen to show that they are Laidler Conference favourites in a tie in aid of Cure Leukaemia for Kids. Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)