Solihull Barons – Sheffield Scimitars

Recap

The Zoo Accounting Solihull Barons put on a strong showing on Sunday evening in a confident display over a Sheffield Scimitars side still struggling to get their 2022-23 season going.

With 8 minutes gone Solihull looked to have opened the scoring when Marcus Maynard picked up a poor clearance by Sheffield and his resulting shot was only parried as far as Niklas Ottosson who tapped home. Celebrations were premature and the goal was disallowed as the puck had come off the board above the nets earlier in the play. Four minutes later and the Barons would finally get the goal they had been seeking as again a long range Maynard shot was blocked, with the puck falling again to Niklas Ottosson who this time swept the rubber across the crease for an expectant Phil Mulcahy on the back post to tap home. Almost immediately off the restart the Barons doubled their lead, Matt Maurice this time being the beneficiary of another Ottosson feed.

Within a minute of the second period clock starting the Barons stretched their lead to three as Richard Crowe made use of the extra space in some four on four play to find the net. by mid-period the Barons had gotten their fourth without response as Niklas Ottosson raced the length of the ice, fending off challenges as he went, to slot the puck beyond Brandon Stones in the Sheffield net for what was perhaps the goal of the night. A minute later and Baron Brandon Anderton got number five to put the game more or less out of reach for the visitors.

Solihull continued their form into the third as Rich Slater jabbed the puck into the Sheffield net with two and a half minutes gone. As the game went on the Barons began to acrue soft penalties and the Scimitars were glad to make the most of the chances afforded by a 5 on 3 early in the third, Shaun Wild getting what would prove to be the only goal of the evening for the visitors. The Barons soon countered however as Marcus Maynard skated up the ice before slotting home casually for Solihull’s 7th and final goal of the night.

The Barons now embark on a two-game road trip this weekend. On Saturday they make the trip North of the border to take on the league leading Solway Sharks before dropping in on the Widnes Wild on Sunday evening. Solihull are then back at Hobs Moat on the 9th October to meet the Billingham Stars in the first of a run of four home ties featuring the visits of Blackburn, Whitley and the returning Deeside.

Barons Man of the Match, Graham Laverick

Scimitars Man of the Match, Isaac Tse

Man of the Match awards presented by Wayne and Zeta of Barons Headline sponsor Zoo Accounting