Blackburn Hawks vs Solihull Barons

Recap

The Solihull Barons secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over the Blackburn Hawks at Blackburn Ice Arena, with a determined team performance and an excellent night between the pipes from Graham Laverick helping the Barons take the points on the road.

The opening period belonged largely to Blackburn in terms of pressure. The Hawks outshot Solihull 15–5, but Laverick and the Barons defence stood firm to keep the game scoreless through the opening 20 minutes.

Solihull found their feet in the second and began to put considerably more pressure on the Blackburn net.

The breakthrough came at 34:52, when Brandon Anderton (#11) put the Barons ahead, assisted by William Reed (#26) and Ethan Smith (#15).

The lead was short lived, however. Just over a minute later, at 35:56, Blackburn responded through Lee Pollitt (#70), assisted by Adam Barnes and James Royds, sending the sides into the second intermission tied at 1–1.

It left everything to play for in the final period.

Solihull struck again at 48:34, and this time it was Louis Allen (#92) who found the net. Anderton added an assist to his earlier goal, while Henry Adams (#36) picked up the second assist, giving the Barons a crucial 2–1 advantage.

From there, Blackburn threw plenty at Solihull in search of an equaliser.

The Barons also had to negotiate a penalty filled final period, with Marcus Bradley called for delay at 45:29, followed later by hooking penalties to Philip Mulcahy and Niklas Ottosson.

But Blackburn couldn’t make the extra opportunities count.

Laverick and the Barons defence shut the door, with the Solihull netminder facing 38 shots across the night and allowing just one past him.

At the other end, Solihull generated 33 shots, including 16 during a much improved second period, and crucially made their opportunities count.

The final buzzer confirmed an impressive 2–1 Barons victory on the road.

It wasn’t a straightforward night. Solihull were outshot, spent more time in the penalty box and had to withstand some sustained Blackburn pressure, particularly early and late in the game.

But the Barons found a way.

A strong performance from Laverick, goals from Anderton and Allen, and a determined defensive effort were enough to see Solihull leave Blackburn with the win.

Final Score: Blackburn Hawks 1–2 Solihull Barons

Barons scoring

• 34:52, Brandon Anderton (#11), assisted by William Reed (#26) and Ethan Smith (#15)
• 48:34, Louis Allen (#92), assisted by Brandon Anderton (#11) and Henry Adams (#36)

Barons penalties

• Jacob Smith (#10), Holding, 2 mins
• Joseph Aston (#21), Slashing, 2 mins
• Daniel Mulcahy (#23), Tripping, 2 mins
• Marcus Bradley (#17), Delay, 2 mins
• Philip Mulcahy (#24), Hooking, 2 mins
• Niklas Ottosson (#91), Hooking, 2 mins

Shots on goal: Blackburn 38–33 Solihull
Penalty minutes: Blackburn 6–12 Solihull
Period scores: 0–0 | 1–1 | 0–1
Final: Blackburn Hawks 1–2 Solihull Barons

A proper road win for the Barons.