The Warriors gained a hard-earned victory at Hobbs Moat Road Sunday night, to move joint top of the NIHL-North Division 1 table. Whitley now find themselves with an identical 2-0-0 record along with Sheffield Spartans and reigning champions the Blackburn Hawks.
On the surface, a 6-2 scoreline looks a routine win, but the 60 minutes in the West Midlands was anything but, with the Barons proving that there are no easy games in this league.
The opening 20 minutes was tough, as Whitley tried to shake off their 'bus legs' and were also forced to kill 10 penalty minutes. If it wasn't for an outstanding display by goalie Ritchie Lawson, then the visitors could have been down by a goal or two heading into the first intermission. With 14:20 on the clock Solihull had a breakaway but Lawson stood tall to win the one-on-one. He was forced into action again two minutes later as Solihull broke clear whilst Whitley had the man-advantage on a powerplay. Lawson was able to force the Solihull shooter to hit the pipes rather than the back of the net.
The best chance of the period came later on in the same powerplay with a well worked move that saw Shaun Kippin twist and turn before directing a clever shot goalwards.
The second period started much better, and Whitley finally got the break though at 21:42. Skippy and DJ Good combined well to set up Callum Watson to break the tie.
Solihull responded well though and Lawson was again forced into a great save when he stopped yet another break-away. At 27:47 Solihull also had a goal disallowed, and it wouldn't be long before they were level. Former Nottingham Panthers Left Wing, Tom Soar fired home a hard shot after Richard Crowe had found him just outside the crease. Not long after that Soar tried his luck again with another hard shot, but that man Lawson was on hand to thwart him.
Having ridden the storm well David Longstaff set up Harry Harley to restore the Whitley lead, whilst on a 4-on-4. Lobby's assist would bring up his 400th Warriors point.
Just four minutes later and the lead increased to 3-1 as the Warriors looked to put some daylight between them and the Barons. Jamie Tinsley was hurt in the build up to the goal but was still able to find Longstaff, who in-turn set up Callum Queenan, as the Whitley top-line linked well once again.
The big hype before the game was former Sheffield Steeler Perry Doyle challenging Andre Payette to a fight. Doyle had wanted to go a couple of times early in the game but Payette, sensibly wanted to wait until the game was safe before dropping the gloves. That didn't stop Solihull trying to force the issue though, and it was a surprise when Josh Bruce didn't receive a penalty for smacking Josh Maddock in the back with his stick.
The game was certainly starting to heat up and just 12 seconds into the final period, Dan Pye delivered a big hit, mid-ice that floored Joe Henry. Henry was stretchered off to hospital, but had to wait some time before the ambulance arrived.
Just 18 seconds later and the Warriors increased their lead to 4-1, when Jamie Tinsley converted a Queenan pass. Six minutes later and Lobby played in Joe Stamp who made it five for the visitors.
Solihull did pull a goal back within a minute to give the scoreline some respectability. Tom Soar set up Phil Knight after receiving the puck from Swedish import Niklas Ottosson. The scoring was completed with five minutes remaining, Callum Queenan scoring an unassisted goal.
And so to the fight club. The well publicised heavy weight bout between Doyle and Payette finally arrived at 57:51. Neither wanted to lose this fight and after much wrestling to remove each other helmets it ended up as some-what of a hugging contest. Payette did land some decent blows though, and you get the feeling he will want to finish Doyle off at Hillheads next Sunday. Doyle looked exhausted by the time he skated to the penalty box, which probably tells its own story as to just what a tough battle it was.
The game re-started but within seven seconds the gloves were dropped again. Rob Eley delivered an elbow which upset Callum Watson. Despite Eley having the height advantage Watson was the winner here drawing his opponent's blood with a series of good punches before bringing him crashing down onto the ice.
It wouldn't be right without Jordan Barnes getting in on the action, and despite just coming back from a concussion wasn't going to wait around. Josh Bruce skated away when he was challenged, but he found Dave Rogers more than willing. Jordan didn't take long, bringing Rogers down, with some good punches thrown.
Team Line Up
Whitley iced with the same forward lines as last weeks game against Solway. Andre Payette moved back to a forward spot, sharing third line duties with Kyle Ross. Craig Johnson and Liam Smedley didn't travel to Solihull as they were in action for the U-18 Braves team. Joe Stamp, Dan Pye, Alex Lawson and Jordan Barnes all returned to the blueline.
Forwards:
25 Longstaff - 27 Tinsley - 15 Queenan
11 Kippin - 9 DJ Good - 6 Watson
13 Ross/7 Payette - 18 Crammond - 64 Richards
Defense:
19 Maddock - 38 Pye
24 Harley - 3 Stamp
17 Barnes - 12 A. Lawson
21 Cooper - 71 Tomlinson
Opposition View
Solihull had, Perry Doyle patrolling the blue line, while Czech import Tomas Janak looked dangerous on the top line. Swedish Right Wing Niklas Ottosson linked up well with former Nottingham Panthers player Tom Soar on the second line. Soar had a particularly hard shot which was always likely to cause problems.
The Barons were forced to ice their third choice goalie after their usual number one, Josh Nicholls, was away on vacation and back up Sam Hewitt was out with flu. It was left to U-18 netminder Steven Lickman, son of former Nottingham Panthers goalie, Briann Cox to stem the expected Maroon & Gold tide. Solihull have some quality going forward, but as Dean Holland rightly pointed out to me during the first intermission, their defensemen were slow. If Whitley could get in behind them, goal-scoring chances would arrive.
News
* With a trio of assists, Player Coach David Longstaff moves onto 8 points for the season [3+5] and 402 points all time in a Warriors Jersey.
* Dean Holland, confirmed that his recovery is going well and has not ruled out returning to the ice sooner than expected. He could even be back on the ice within three months, with physiotherapy starting this week. I am sure I speak for every Whitley fan when I say, getting Dean back skating again can't come soon enough.
* Alan Yarrow, affectionately known as 'Rocket' was spotted sitting in the stands amongst the Whitley fans. He last played during the 2003-04 season before moving to Australia, and at one stage owned the Adelaide Avalanche hockey team. There are strong rumors that Yarrow, could be back in a Warriors jersey this season, in a bid to add further physical presence to the side. I am sure there will be plenty of visiting players dropping out with 'Whitley Flu' upon hearing this.
* The Barons had some good support at the game. A special thanks has to go to their DJ Pat Johnson, who in-between playing some great music, was very helpful and accommodating. He even handed me his programme at the end of the game after there was none left when I arrived.
* This was HFATP's first road game of the season. I would like to thank Tom Symons for transporting me there and back, as well as Rebecca Bradley, Rachel Cooper, Dan Cooper and Rob Potter for keeping a long journey very entertaining. [On this occasion 'V' was not for vendetta was it guys?]
* A further thanks to Dan for the video of Callum's fight, which can be seen on Hockey From Across The Pond's Official Facebook Page.
Other Results
Sat, Sep 12
Sheffield Senators v Sheffield Spartans 1-7
Solway Sharks v Billingham Stars 3-5.
Sun, Sep 13
Sheffield Spartans v Sheffield Senators 7-1
Blackburn Hawks v Telford Tigers 5-3.
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