Barons back on track as Stars fall

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Recap

Airport Placements Limited Solihull Barons : 7
Billingham Stars : 5

The Airport Placements Solihull Barons put on their best team performance in some time with a solid and confidence inspiring win over the league’s second placed side the Billingham Stars on Sunday evening.

Matt Maurice had another very strong night with three points (Steve Crampton)
Matt Maurice had another very strong night with three points (Steve Crampton)

The first period showed that despite the long trip down from Teeside, the Stars were quick to shake off their bus legs and pose an immediate threat to the Barons. With the early minutes offering chances to both sides it would be the Stars who would strike first, Jack Watkins scoring in the eighth minute as the seconds ticked down on a Billingham powerplay. The visitors would then extend their lead mid-period, Dennis Bostrum doing the damage this time. The
Barons continued to push however and were rewarded in the fourteenth minute as Rich Slater rounded the net to tuck the puck into the Billingham goal and keep the Barons in contention heading to the dressing rooms.

A two goal night for Rich Slater (Steve Crampton)
A two goal night for Rich Slater (Steve Crampton)

The second period started brightly for the Barons, Niklas Ottosson getting an equaliser from just outside the crease, 22 seconds into the period. The Barons were then able to take the lead for the first time two minutes later, Matt Maurice shooting straight from the slot. There would be further chances for both sides through the middle period with the Barons generally seeing more of the puck but neither side managing any sustained period of high quality pressure on the opposition and there would be no scoring until just over a minute to go in the period. Matt Maurice would once more be the scorer, making the most of a sweet pass from Andy Whitehouse to execute a one-timer into the Stars net. The Barons two goal advantage would be short lived with the Stars Callum Davies scoring as the period end buzzer sounded.

Sam Hewitt had a busy evening facing 50 shots (Steve Crampton)
Sam Hewitt had a busy evening facing 50 shots (Steve Crampton)

Three minutes in to the final period and the visitors once more brought the scores level, Michael Elder dancing through the Barons zone for the Stars fourth goal. It would fall to Tom Soar to restore the Barons lead two minutes later as a careless Billingham giveaway aforded Soar all the time and space to get the Barons fifth goal.

Tomas Janak struggles with space and angles (Steve Crampton)
Tomas Janak struggles with space and angles (Steve Crampton)

Rich Slater would get his second of the night as the game entered the final ten minutes. The Stars once more coughed up the cup to a pressing Barons forward, Slater making no mistake from the right of the net. The two goal buffer would again prove fleeting, Callum Davies skating round a sprawled Sam Hewitt in the Barons net to peg the advantage back to a single goal.

Keiran Papps screens the keeper during the final period powerplay (Steve Crampton)
Keiran Papps screens the keeper during the final period powerplay (Steve Crampton)

Despite a missed Barons penalty shot, the home side would pick up the final goal of the night courtesy of Joe Henry to see the game end 7-5 in favour of the Barons.

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Niklas Ottosson congratulates Joe Henry on the final goal of the night (Steve Crampton)

The Barons next challenge is the final meeting of the regular season between Solihull and the Flintshire based Dragons at their Welsh rink this Sunday. The Barons will then face the tricky challenge of hosting league leaders the Solway Sharks on the 29th January, Face-off 6:00 pm.

Barons Man of the Match : Matt Maurice

gamesheet


Elsewhere in the League

Telford Tigers 5 : 2 Blackburn Hawks
Whitley Warriors 7 : 5 Deeside Dragons
Sutton Sting 3 : 4 Blackburn Hawks

Details

Date Time League Season
January 15, 2017 6:00 pm Moralee Division 2016/17

Results

Team1st2nd3rdT
Solihull Barons1337
Billingham Stars2125

Solihull Barons

# Player Position G A PIM SA GA SV
6Richard CroweDefence000000
7Joe HenryOffence100000
8Ryan SelwoodDefence000000
14Tomas JanakDefence010000
15Matt MauriceOffence210000
16Andy WhitehouseOffence020000
17Richard SlaterOffence200000
21Dale WhiteDefence000000
27Kieran PappsDefence000000
28Josh NichollsGoalie000000
31Sam HewittGoalie00050545
44Elliot FarrellOffence000000
77Jacob SmithDefence000000
79Tom SoarOffence112000
81James MoellerDefence000000
83Brandon AndertonOffence002000
91Niklas OttossonOffence120000
 Total 77450545

Billingham Stars

Position G A PIM SA GA SV
 77859752

Venue

Planet Ice Solihull Ice Rink
Hobs Moat Rd, Solihull B92 8JN