Wild push Barons hard

Bristol Street Motors Solihull Barons : 9
Widnes Wild : 5

Sunday night saw the return of the Widnes Wild to Solihull for the first time since last season's play-off semi-finals, when the Cheshire side pushed the Barons to within a hair of not making the final. Sunday's game was no different. From the outset the Wild, despite running short benched, showed a similar attitude, coming to play good hockey, chasing the Barons down and defending their net while taking any chances offered to them.

The Bristol Street Motors Barons found the net for the first time just after the five minute mark. Slick passing among the Barons top line saw Thomas Janak pass the puck across the Wild goal mouth leaving Josh Bruce an open net on the back post.

The Barons second would come in the final five minutes of the period, Edward Eaton with an improbable shot from the far right corner sliding its way in off the skate of Greg Ruxton in the Wild net. Further cushioning of the lead would happen a minute later as Rich Slater knocked in a rebound of the backboards for goal number three.

If there were any thoughts that the Wild were about to rollover and get the order in for the post game fish and chips, these were quickly dispelled in the first couple of minutes of the second period. A shot into Baron's netminder Sam Hewitt's catching mitt was not trapped and the resulting rebound gave the Wild's Sam Dunford an opportunity which was duly converted. Less than a minute later and a two-man Wild breakaway cut the Widnes deficit to a single goal.

Barons Erik Bakalar restored Solihull’s two goal advantage after twenty five minutes, his wrist shot bouncing over the Wild keeper's stick and into the Widnes net. The Wild would strike back themselves, a powerplay opportunity quickly converted by Matthew Wainwright on the Barons blue line. With five minutes of the second period to go Connor Hubbuck restored the Barons two goal advantage with a shot through Greg Ruxtons legs.

The Barons had obviously had the gee-up in the second period game interval and in a dramatic thirty seconds found the net no less than three times via Simon Harrison, Erik Bakalar and Joe Henry, followed by a second for Henry a couple of minutes later, effectively securing the win for the Barons.

The Wild, cheered on by a vocal travelling support continued to plug away adding a further two goals via Lee Pollitt and Sam Dunford to give a final scoreline which gave credit to both sides in probably the best game of the season so far at the Solihull rink.

The Barons continue a run of home ties next weekend when the Deeside Dragons come to Hobs Moat on Sunday evening. The Dragons have traditionally been one of the form sides in the Laidler division but a slow start to the season has seen them further back than many would have expected. Form is starting to come to the Flintshire side however and they will promise to bring some skilful hockey to Solihull on Sunday, Face-off : 6pm

v Widnes

Barons goals : Bakalar (2), Henry (2), Eaton, Slater, S Harrison, Bruce, Hubbuck Barons assists : Janak (2), Soar (2), Crowe, Henry, Selwood, D Harrison, Whitehouse, S Harrison, Bruce, Hubbuck Barons MoM : Erik Bakalar