Barons party seven

Nottingham Lions : 0
Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 7

2nd March 2014

Sunday evening saw the Motor Nation Solihull Barons make their final visit of the season to Nottingham to take on last season's champions the Lions in what would turn out to be a feisty but one sided tie.

The Barons wasted no time in getting down to business, with the game having run for little more than half a minute before Joe Henry raced the puck into the Nottingham end. While his shot was parried by the pads of Lions netminder Alan Levers, the rebound was clinically converted by Josh Bruce for the Barons opener. Two minutes later and Rob Eley had the Barons second as the puck ricocheted around the Lions goal crease before finding its way into the net. The remainder of the period saw opportunities for both sides but while the Barons held the balance of play, Alan Levers kept the puck the right side of the line as far as the Lions were concerned.

The second period continued with further Barons pressure and it was only a matter of time until goal number three for Solihull as Connor Hubbuck found the net off an assist by Rich Slater. As the Lions pushed forward in an attempt to recover some of the deficit, a breakout pass from Pez Doyle gave Joe Henry a chance to catch Nottingham flat footed in the Barons end and breakaway for Solihull's fourth of the night. The final five minutes of the period saw Rich Slater react to a slash from the Lions Ben Wood which saw the pair go toe to toe.

The Solihull offence continued in much the same vein into the final twenty minutes with Rich Slater finding the net from the back post thanks to slick passing from Mike Rodger and Connor Hubbuck and in doing so got his Gordie Howe hat-trick - a goal, an assist and a fight.

Immediately following this, a series of tussles began, Mikey Rodger dropping the gloves with Joe Steeples in retribution for the former's check on Ed Slater. This then sparked a one on one between Perry Doyle and Lion's heavyweight Ben Foster-Wilson the former sending the latter crashing to the ice with a single massive punch and light of two teeth. The fun and games was concluded as former Barons junior team mates Dave Rogers and Connor McNaughton grappled.

The final five minutes saw Josh Bruce and Tomas Janak combine for the Barons final two goals, Janak picking up a Bruce rebound for number 6, while Bruce put the puck through the keeper's legs for Barons magnificent number seven.

The Barons are back on home ice this Sunday when they face the Hull Jets in what will be their penultimate regular season game at Hobs Moat. As the former National League Hull Stingrays, the Jets are always one of the most unpredictable sides in the league and points can not be taken for granted particularly if they turn up with players from the Elite league side among their number. Another big crowd is expected so make sure you get down to the rink to cheer the Barons on. Face-off 6pm.

Barons goals : Bruce (2), Henry, R Slater, R Eley, Janak, Hubbuck
Barons assists : Eaton (2), Janak (2), Henry, R Slater, Doyle, Nicholls, Bruce, Rodger
Barons MoM : Connor Hubbuck

Next Home Game The Barons welcome the Hull Jets (nee Stingrays) to Hobs Moat for the second time this season. Hull are always a tricky side to judge, equally capable of being rolled over or giving a tricky challenge to any side in the Conference. 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 9th March Face-off : 6:00pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)