Barons have a Wild time in Widnes

Widnes Wild : 1
Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 10

The Motor Nation Solihull Barons launched their English Ice Hockey Association Laidler Division title defence in defiant form with a convincing win away at the Widnes Wild on Saturday evening.

Despite the scoreline, the trip North could easily have tripped up any Barons side not prepared to give Widnes adequate respect. The Cheshire side, well run and enthusiastically supported, pushed Solihull close in last season's play-offs and with the Barons missing a number of key players for this season opener, any complacency could have been easily punished.

Any concerns Solihull may have had regarding the tie were eased early on, Andy Whitehouse getting the opening goal after just over a minute and the lead being doubled shortly after as Tom Soar picked up his first goal in a Barons shirt. Barons pressure continued through the first period, Joe Henry racking up a hat-trick through the middle of the first period, aided by Soar, Ryan Selwood and new Barons import, Swede Niklas Ottosson. The period was wrapped up by Tom Soar to give the Barons a convincing 6-0 lead as the sides headed to the dressing room.

A swap of netminders for the Wild saw GB ladies goalie Nicole Jackson take her place between the pipes for Widnes and this helped steady the ship through the second period for the home side. Indeed Jackson kept a clean sheet through the second twenty against continuous Solihull pressure, while Bobby Caunce helped pull a goal back for the Wild.

The final period saw the Barons back in free scoring mode with a hat trick for Connor Hubbuck, with defenceman Phil Knight also finding the net to leave the result a perhaps surprisingly convincing win for Solihull.

The Barons are back at home this weekend when they take on the Blackburn Eagles at Hobs Moat in a top of table clash. This will be the only visit of the Eagles to Solihull this season and the game will be played for double points so a victory will be essential to maintain the Barons momentum. Face-off 6pm.

Solihull goals : Henry (3), Hubbuck (3), Soar (2), Knight, Whitehouse
Solihull assists : Henry (4), Selwood (3), Doyle (3), Ottosson (3), Soar (2), Larkin (2), Eaton, Whitehouse
Barons Man of the Match : Josh Nicholls

Video highlights of the game courtesy of the Wild can be found here.

SCHEDULE CHANGES _____________ The Barons are now scheduled to only play the Hull Jets and Blackburn Eagles once home and once away. These games will be played for double points. This leaves the Barons with 16 home fixtures this season. A full list can be found here. _______________ Next Home Game The Barons welcome the Blackburn Eagles to Hobs Moat for their first home league game of the 2014-15 season. With the physical and determined play Eagles shocking the Nottingham Lions last weekend the game with the Barons will be a top of the table clash ! Make sure you make it to the rink to support the Barons, make it loud and ensure they have that extra man on the ice ! Sunday 14th September Face-off : 6:00pm Adults £7 : Concessions £3.50 Family ticket £20 (2 adults and up to 3 children)