Blackburn Hawks – Solihull Barons

Recap

Blackburn Hawks : 6
Zoo Accounting Solihull Barons : 8

Sunday, and the Zoo Accounting Solihull Barons recovered quickly from Saturday’s heavy loss in Solway to post a second win over the Blackburn Hawks in the space of 7 days, both ties close but both going the way of the Midland’s side.

James Moeller enjoyed getting the opener on Sunday evening 14 minutes into the first period, support on this coming from Bailey Challans. Three minutes later and the Hawks danger man, Jacob Lutwyche found a way past Laverick and the sides were level once more. By the break however Solihull had nipped ahead again as the Barons made the most of a face-off violation by the Hawks and converted the resulting powerplay, Matt Maurice getting the go ahead goal.

Phil Mulcahy wasted no time in the second period and extended the Solihull lead after just 40 seconds only for this to be cut back by the Hawks Devids Jurinenoks before the clock had hit the minute mark. A powerplay to the Hawks would then allow Lutwyche to level things up three minutes later before a trio of Barons goals from Richard Crowe, Matt Maurice and Dan Mulcahy propelled Solihull into a relatively comfortable lead by the half hour mark. By period end the Hawks had pulled things back slightly thanks to a James Riddoch goal but the Barons continued to hold the upper hand as the sides stepped out for the third.

Matt Maurice notched up his hat-trick with a second powerplay goal, six minutes into the final but this was countered by Tate Shudra mid-period to keep the Hawks in the hunt. Between these two goals Maurice and Ben McLellan had, had a bit of a set too and then had the pleasure of the penalty benches for 5 minutes for their troubles. With six minutes to go a Paul Stanley shot fooled Ben Keddie in the Blackburn net to restore the Barons three goal margin, a lead which despite another Lutwyche goal and a pulling of Keddie for an extra attacker, was enough to bring the points back to Hobs Moat.

The Barons have another busy and tricky weekend coming up. On Saturday they head to North Wales to take on the in form Deeside Dragons before a return to Solihull to welcome the Billingham Stars on Sunday evening. The Stars are also very much on form having strung together an unbroken run of nine victories. The Barons beat the Stars comfortably in their early season match up at Hobs Moat but based on the Stars recent results a much sterner challenge will be in prospect on Sunday. Players to look out for are Chris Sykes and James Moss will be the danger men up front while teen star Finley Bradon has been scoring goals for fun and Tom Brown has been putting in strong performances between the pipes.

Hope to see you there and making it loud for the boys! #COYB!!!!

Barons Man of the Match, Matt Maurice

Hawks Man of the Match, Ben McLellan