Lookers of Yardley Solihull Barons 5 : 3 Sheffield Spartans
23rd August 2015
Doyle & Shudra : Two legendary Barons names on the ice. Josh Bruce looks for the goal with Andy Whitehouse loitering at the back post.
Perry & Weeks clash.
Ed Eaton makes the break from defence.
Barons Man of the Match, Tom Soar
Spartans Man of the Match, Scott Morris

Lookers of Yardley Solihull Barons : 5
Sheffield Spartans : 3

With newly promoted Lookers of Yardley Solihull Barons looking forward to their first season in the upper tier of National Ice Hockey, Sunday's preseason tie against league mainstay, the Sheffield Spartans gave Perry Doyle's men a chance to weigh up the season ahead.

The first period went scoreless but was high tempo and physical. Both sides played hard and fast and despite two powerplays apiece the scoring deadlock was unbroken as the teams headed off the ice after the first twenty minutes.

Five minutes into the second period and the Barons were first to register on the scoreboard. A shorthanded breakaway by Ryan Selwood was crossed to a chasing Joe Henry who found the net. The joy of the Barons support was quickly dampened as they too were the victims of a breakaway, Spartans captain Ollie Baron doing the damage within a minute.

The Barons would be back on top by the period end, Tom Soar threading the puck through traffic from the left hand half boards into the Sheffield net, to give the Barons a slender two - one lead heading into the final period.

Five minutes into the final period and with tension rising, the Barons Perry Doyle and Spartan, Stephen Weeks, went toe to toe, the latter going down to the ice within a few seconds. Shortly after the restart and Niklas Ottosson took a carefully aimed shot to the Sheffield netminders stick-side to take the Barons tally to three.

Within a minute or so the Spartans brought the margin back to a single goal, Scott Morris seeing his shot bounce over Baron's netminder Josh Nicholls stick. It would not take long for the Barons to regain their two goal cushion, Tom Soar finding the net for the second time of the night.

The Barons pushed their margin to three goals, Ryan Selwood with a slap shot from the blue line off of a Joe Henry face-off but this was to be pegged back quickly - Will Barron with a counter for the Spartans to conclude the evening's scoring.

 

The Barons will have two further preseason games this weekend against Laidler Division, Widnes Wild. On the Saturday the Barons head up to Cheshire, with the Wild coming down to Solihull for the Sunday game. The Wild have spent the off-season bolstering their side on and off the ice and should give the Barons strong opposition over both legs. This game will support and mark the launch of Baron's captain Rob Eley's testimonial 19 for 19 campaign in aid of the Ward 19 Heartlands Hospital charity campaign. Face-off : 6:30pm.

v Spartans

Barons goals : Soar (2), Ottosson, Bruce, Selwood
Barons assists : Eaton (3), Henry, Knight, Ottosson, Selwood
Barons MoM : Tom Soar




NEXT HOME GAME
THIS SUNDAY !!!

The Barons welcome the Widnes Wild to Hobs Moat for the only time this season. The Wild start the season as many peoples tips for the Laidler division and will give the Barons a strong game.

This game will also act as a launch event for Rob Eley's 19 for 19 charity with funds from the game going to the cause.

Get to the rink early to see special guest, professional boxer Frankie Gavin the current British, Commonwealth and WBA intercontinental welterweight champion. Frankie will be joined by the Heart of England trust charity team who along with their mascot Huggy will be giving away 19 for 19 merchandise.

They will also have further information about Rob's Testimonial season as well as an opportunity for you to buy tickets for forthcoming events.

For more details see here.

Make it loud and ensure the Barons have that extra man on the ice !

Sunday 30th August
Face-off : 6:30pm

Adults £8 : Concessions £4
Family ticket £24
(2 adults and up to 3 children)


 
Original photography courtesy of Keith & Jenny Davies