Barons clinch Laidler Conference

Coventry NL Blaze : 1
Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 3

Sunday 16th March 2014

On Sunday evening the Motor Nation Solihull Barons made the short trip along the A45 to Coventry  to take on the National League Blaze knowing that a point, regardless of results elsewhere, would secure the 2013-14 Laidler Conference title.

A large travelling Solihull support gathered in the Skydome to watch the final clash of the two West Midlands sides of the season. The first period saw the Barons exert most of the pressure, restricting the Blaze to attacks on the counter. On the eighth minute Dave Rogers broke into the Blaze end and while his shot was parried over the crossbar, the Barons forward was able to go behind the net to recover the puck and flick it to Joe Henry who made no mistake with the opportunity to give the Barons their first goal of the evening.

The remainder of the period saw the Barons continue to pressure but for no reward as the sides went into the dressing rooms at the end of the first period separated only by the single goal.

Murmurs in the first period break confirmed that title rivals the Deeside Dragons had just dropped two points and the title was now the Barons regardless of the outcome of their own game.

Despite the news, the second period continued in much the same way as the first with the Barons holding the offensive balance. This was cashed in on the 25th minute when Josh Bruce picked up a pass from Ryan Selwood before taking a couple of bites to put the puck past Adam Goss in the Blaze net. The remainder of the period was generally fairly scruffy with both sides failing to convert on power play opportunities. The final couple of minutes however saw a spell of Blaze pressure and frantic defence from the Barons before Josh Nicklin found a way through a wall of Barons to put the puck into the Solihull net.

With the Barons lead back down to a single goal it was left to Josh Bruce to rebuild the two goal buffer and a mid period power play gave the perfect opportunity. Perry Doyle found Bruce in acres of space in neutral ice giving the Solihull forward a clean run on net before slotting the puck through the legs of Coventry netminder Matt Goss for Barons third and final goal of the night.

This was by no means a classic game, the Barons lacking some of the fluidity seen on home ice, however winning ugly, as the cliche goes, is all part of the skill set of champions.

The Barons travel to both Hull and Widnes next weekend, both sides capable of upsetting anyone in the league and while the title might be won, keeping the winning streak going will be a matter of pride for Solihull. The Barons will therefore need to be on top form to continue their undefeated run. To join the Barons on the team coach to these games click here. The following weekend, 30th March sees the Barons play host to league runners-up, the Deeside Dragons in the final league game of the season. Face-off : 6:00pm.

Barons goals : Henry, Bruce (2)
Barons assists : Roger, Doyle (2), Janak, Selwood
Barons Man of the Match : Phil Knight

Next Home Game The Barons welcome the Deeside Dragons to Hobs Moat for the Barons final league game of the season. While the title will probably have been clinched by this point, the tie against second place Deeside Dragons promises much. The Dragons always bring out the best in the Barons and games between the two are never less than entertaining. As ever a good crowd is expected so make sure you get down to the rink and let your cheers tilt the Hobs Moat Ice in favour of your Barons as they move toward the title. Sunday 30th March Face-off : 6:00pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)