Solihull Barons – Sheffield Scimitars

Recap

EDG Property Solihull Barons : 3 (after overtime)
Sheffield Scimitars : 2

The EDG Property Solihull Barons notched up another four point weekend with an overtime win over Sheffield Scimitars on Sunday evening to go alongside their more comfortable 6-2 defeat of the Nottingham Lions on Saturday.

While the Barons had made quick work of a very short benched Sheffield Scimitars at Hobs Moat a few weeks ago, Sunday was quite a different game. Despite having little over two lines, the Scimitars played a co-ordinated and organised game backstopped by the excellent Nick Winters to frustrate the Barons in front of goal while also making the most of their offences chances when they came.

Indeed it would be not until the 15th minute and over 20 shots on goal to that point, before the Barons would find a way to get the puck into Nick Winters net as Dani Haid slotted home from a central position 10metres out for the opening goal. The remainder of the period would see the Barons pepper the Scimitars net with rubber but there would be no further scoring before the first 20 closed.

Five minutes into the second and Phil Mulcahy netted for the Barons second goal, a close in effort from just outside the Sheffield crease with assists from brother Dan and defenceman Max Soden. Thoughts that this might mark the start of a Barons runaway were quickly dispelled as Sheffield showed that despite getting few shots on goal, when a chance came it was not going to be squandered and Sam Rodgers placed the puck beyond Graham Laverick for the visiting team’s first goal of the evening. The remainder of the period saw both sides picking up penalties which despite the opportunities afforded by the powerplays, left the scoreline unaltered with the Barons pegged to a single goal lead.

The third would see Solihull continue the pressure of the Sheffield net but quality in the final touch remained illusive. Instead it would be the Scimitars who would be the ones scoring – Tyler Nixon with an early period goal to level the sides up, a tally which would hold to the end of regulation time to set up a 3 on 3 spell of overtime.

Three minutes into overtime, Barons goalie Graham Lavekick cleared the puck himself to Alex Whyte who raced through the zones to finally find space round Nixon and bring the win to the Barons.

The Barons return in 2024 with our first game of the New Year on 7th January versus the Widnes Wild when we hope to welcome as many former Barons to the rink as possible for a reunion.

Barons Man of the Match, Richard Crowe

Scimitars Man of the Match, Nick Winters

Around the League

Saturday 16th December
Hull Jets : 7 – 6 (OT) : Deeside Dragons
Nottingham Lions : 2 – 6 : Solihull Barons
Sheffield Scimitars : 1 -3 : Widnes Wild

Sunday 17th December
Blackburn Hawks :4  – 2 : Whitley Warriors
Deeside Dragons : 8 – 2 : Nottingham Lions
Widnes Wild : 1 – 7 : Billingham Stars