Titans toppled by confident Barons !

by Gareth Thomson

A closely fought Midlands ice hockey challenge saw the Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons come out on top against the Telford Titans by netting the odd point in a nine goal battle.

In an intriguing match-up watch by nearly 500 fans, the on-form Division 2 Barons played host to a Division 1 Telford side yet to start their season proper.

Despite their lack of match practice it was the Titans who started the brighter, Chris Jones capitalising on a Neil Adams penalty to score a powerplay goal before the game had reached the two minute mark.

The Solihull side gradually worked their way into the first period with a fast skating Rich Slater breaking away to fire the puck beyond the reach of Sam Hewitt in the Telford goal. The large home support were rewarded in the final few minutes of the period when Barons youngster David Rogers made the most of a two man advantage powerplay to score allowing Solihull to go into the interval ahead.

Into the second, a positive Barons extended their lead, Mike Rodger picking up a rebound off of Hewitt who had slid wide in his efforts to protect the Telford goal. Telford stuck to their game plan however, Chris Jones scoring his second a few minutes later to take the sides into the final period separated by a single goal. 

The first five minutes of the final session saw both teams finding gaps between the opposition's pipes. For the Barons a second goal for Rodger and a first of the season for Toni Scialdone sandwiched a Josh Hushwick effort for the Titans.

A late powerplay goal for the Titans cut their deficit to the Barons to a single goal but coach Darren Bellerby's men retained their slim advantage to ensure they came out with the win.

Bellerby was pleased with the result and the way the Solihull side performed. "Even though it was a challenge game, with both sides missing one or two players and not as hard hitting as it might be, we wanted to put on a good show. We have a big league game coming up next weekend though so we needed to make sure we kept it clean and came through this challenge unscathed."

"Telford are a good side, with a nice mix of old heads coupled to some good youngsters. We knew they would set themselves up to try to stop us playing our game but we managed to get through it.  At 5-3 we should really have closed it down but gave it away a bit on their final powerplay. It does however show that we have the capabilities to play in the higher league."

With their home record still intact, it will be a focussed Barons squad back on Solihull ice at 6pm this Sunday, when they take on the Hull NL Stingrays in a fixture vital to ensure that they maintain their climb toward the top of the National League, Division 2.

Goals : R Slater, Rogers, Rodger (2), Scialdone
Assists : Adams, Eley, Larkin, Rodger
Man of the Match : Mike Rodger

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The Barons meet the Hull NL Stingrays on Sunday 21st October at the Hobs Moat Rink Hull will come into the fixture bouyed by a good win this past weekend and will keen to give the Barons a good hard game. Just as determined will be the Barons who will be aiming for another 2 points on the table. Make sure you make it down to the rink and give the boys your support ! Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)