Bold Barons hold on in thrilling match-up

by Gareth Thomson

528 spectators were privileged to witness a thrilling game of ice hockey on Sunday evening as the Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons held on to narrowly defeat a highly determined Sheffield Senators team.

The Hobs Moat ice threatened to melt under the heat generated by a frenetic first period, the Barons bringing their very best forward play against a well drilled Sheffield defence. Both sides took penalties - Barons import Mike Rodger, rewarded with 2 minutes in the box for charging after using an unfortunate Sheffield defenceman to check the recovery of his recent shoulder injury. Despite the pace and the penalties, both sides stuck to their gameplans and after the first twenty minutes the teams headed back to the dressing room goalless.

The second period opened to more quality play and by the game mid point the Barons had begun to see chinks in the Senators armour. At 31 minutes Barons captain Chris Allen opened the scoring - a powerplay shot from the half boards and through traffic gave  Solihull the breakthrough they had spent the previous period and a half trying to achieve.

Within a couple of minutes the Barons risked losing the advantage they had worked so hard for. Penalties quickly saw Solihull short handed for a four minute spell, two of these minutes spent 5 on 3. Co-ordinated and committed defence however saw the penalties closed out with the Barons taking the puck into the Sheffield zone for much of this time. This positive approach was rewarded with a short handed goal as Adz Andrews cleared to Jake Larkin on the Barons blue line who took the puck into the attacking zone and gave Joe Henry the honour of taking Solihull two goals up.

The Barons found themselves three goals to the good with ten minutes to go in the game. Rob Eley, who had had a fractious relationship with the Senators for much of the game made the most of a cross from Mike Rodger to put the puck beyond the grasp of the Sheffield netminder and set off riotous celebrations by the Solihull forward and the Hobs Moat crowd.

If much of the rink thought it was game over, no-one told Sheffield. A Barons attack saw the puck hit the Sheffield net minder, Mark Hartley, in the unprotected area around his neck.  Most players eased up expecting a whistle as Hartley appeared injured. None came however and a quick reacting Thomas Humphries took his opportunity to catch the Barons flat footed and give the Senators their first goal of the night. This tally was then doubled as Sheffield took advantage of a powerplay to cut the Barons advantage to a single goal with five minutes to go.

The final few minutes proved tense but the Barons clung on to get the win and the important two points which went with it.

Speaking afterwards Barons head coach Darren Bellerby was clearly delighted with the result.

"After last weekend's disappointing game it was important for us to get back on track. We had words in the dressing room and the team knew what they had to do. It was important for us to get the win and we played well. Fair play to Sheffield though, they came at us all three periods. They are a good side, strong and disciplined and they really defended well, really clogged the middle up."

Bellerby's men face difficult away fixtures against Hull and Nottingham over the next two weekends and the coach is keen to keep bringing home points. "Nottingham are a little ahead in the table but ourselves, Deeside and Sheffield are all on 19 points so it is just so close. I want us to get the 2 points at Hull but you never know what side they will put out so we just can't afford to underestimate them."

The Barons come back to Solihull ice on the 3rd of February when they play host to the Fylde Flyers - face off 6pm.

Goals : Allen, Henry, Eley
Assists : Henry, Andrews, Larkin (2), Rodger
Man of the Match : Rob Eley

Next Home Game Sunday 3rd February The Barons face the fast improving Fylde Flyers. Give the Boys your Support & make sure you're there ! Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)