After losing out to Nottingham Lions in the final game before the festive break, Barons Assistant Player/Coach Phil Lee revealed his frustration as the club ended the 2011 calendar year by surrendering their four game unbeaten run.

The 6-2 loss to the Lions at the National Ice Centre came after a gruelling 7-7 draw with Sheffield Spartans the previous night, and Lee admitted that fatigue played a factor in the defeat.

“We had a few injuries.” He said.

“I think we were holding ourselves down a bit with lack of positional play and lack of concentration.

“It is hard to come here and get a result anyway because they are such a good side, but it’s disappointing that we haven’t carried our unbeaten run into the New Year.

“I think we played really well against Sheffield, but we lost a few players to injury for Nottingham, so a few of the younger lads we were getting on to get more experience who aren’t used to getting on as much.

“When it was a 2-0 game at the end of the second we still looked in it, but a few silly penalties and lack of discipline and concentration I’d say cost us.

 “To be fair, we’ve worked really hard in training. Daz has got us doing a lot of passing drills and it worked really well against Sheffield but with Nottingham not playing the night before, it makes it harder for us as well.”

Despite the set-back, Lee is confident that the Barons can push on further in the New Year, and he expects the side to pick up more points and rise up the league table.

And the seasoned defenceman also hopes to be back in action himself in time for the January fixtures after missing recent matches through injury.
He added: “Now we’ve got a full squad and when we get everyone fit, we’ll have a good chance of doing well this season.

“I don’t think people are looking at us as the whipping boys anymore because we’ve took some really good scalps against some really good teams, so we’ll be looking to go further in the New Year.”

“If we can nick a few points away from home and win most of our home games then I think we’ll be ok at the end of the season.

“To come to our barn and win games is increasingly difficult. We’ve had a couple of good results, so anyone coming into our barn isn’t looking forward to it.

“Hopefully I’ll be back myself in the New Year too. It should be another two weeks, so this break has come at the right time. I should be back for the Telford match.”

Next Home Game Sunday 8th January 6pm, Solihull Ice Rink £6 adults, £3 concessions