Solihull Barons – Blackburn Hawks

Recap

EDG Property Solihull Barons : 4
Blackburn Hawks : 6

The EDG Property Solihull Barons failed to progress to the Moralee cup final despite a spirited home performance which saw the Blackburn Hawks beat them 6-4 on the night and 13-7 on aggregate setting up a Hawks v Billingham Stars final.

After just over three minutes the Hawks were first to net as pressure in the home end saw the puck reach Adam Barnes square in front of the goal who wheeled round for the opener. By the 7th minute the Barons had drawn level as Jacob Smith on the left hand point picked up a feed direct from a face-off in the Hawk end. This was quickly followed by Solihull’s second as Niklas Ottosson slipped the puck into the open Blackburn net beyond a sprawled Ben Keddie at the other post. By period end the Hawks had first drawn level in some quality end to end play which saw Jacob Lutwyche race up the left hand wing evading Barons defences before slotting the puck home. A quick follow up saw Barnes,get his second goal to give the Hawks their third.

Eight minutes into the second and the Hawks pulled further ahead with a well executed play, James Riddoch slotting home on the open back post off of a Sam Warner feed. With six minutes left in the period some Niklas Ottosson class brought the Barons to back to within a single goal of the Hawks, a score which sparked some handbags between Matt Maurice and Ronnie Grimes. With two minutes to go the Barons drew level once more as Jacob Race tapped home the rebound from a Barons shot.

With six minutes of the third period left, the Hawks pulled ahead in a spell of 4 on 4 with Lutwyche shooting home through Ben Lee’s legs. The Hawks would round off the game with a short handed goal in the final two minutes – Lutwyche again – giving them both the win on the night and progression to the finals.

It is back to league action next Sunday as the Barons play host to the Deeside Dragons. Face-off 5:30pm.

Barons Man of the Match, Sam Chandler

Hawks Man of the Match, Jacob Lutwyche