The Warriors were nearly drawn into a Halloween horror show down in Sheffield on Saturday. The winless Senators who only gained promotion to Division 1 last season, held Whitley to just a single goal heading into the third period of the game. Even that lead was given to the Warriors when a Senators player put through his own net. But a two goal salvo from Canadian, Andre Payette rescued the points and saved Whitley’s blushes.
All seemed to be going to plan when Whitley took an early lead at 2:37. Callum Queenan’s shot was redirected into the Senator’s net by a home defenseman, that left goaltender Mark Hartley scrambling in vein to keep the puck out. But any thought that this would be a walk-over was quickly dismissed as the Senators stuck to their task and were well-disciplined in soaking up the pressure and catching the visitors on the break.
Whitley player-coach, David Longstaff, had warned his players of complacency going into the game, as he didn’t want his team to be the first side to give the Senators points this season. Playing on a large ice pad has always been problematic for Whitley teams down the years and as Sheffield got everyone back in their defensive zone, blocking shots left, right and centre the frustration began to grow.
Despite their poor record this season, Sheffield put in a great performance keeping the Warriors at Bay. However they looked like throwing it away with a series of unnecessary penalties. The worst of which saw Josh Maddock hit his head into the boards after a check and needed to be helped from the ice by fellow-injured team mate Dan Pye. That resulted in Oliver Simms being ejected from the game and Whitley getting a five minute powerplay, but special teams have not been the Warriors strong point this season and were only able to make 4 shots on goal during that time.
Heading into the final period things got even worse with Sheffield breaking up the ice and levelling the scores whilst short-handed. The Senators had looked dangerous on the counter attack all game and with such a large ice surface were able to spread the puck wide and stretch the Warriors. However the puck was helped in off a Whitley skate that gave Richie Lawson no chance.
The sizeable crowd that travelled down from Tyneside, was starting to worry a major upset was on the cards, but no sooner had that thought entered the supporters minds than Andre Payette popped up with a huge goal, stroking the puck home at the back post as a power play had just expired.
Whenever the team has needed a big play this season either one of Longstaff or Payette has delivered. Payette had looked focussed through out and his goal came at just the right time. Sheffield scoring when they did proved to be just the wake up call Whitley needed.
Seventy seconds later and Callum Queenan got his second goal of the game. Tapping home with a gaping net in front of him after the goalie was stretched.
Whitley finally looked more comfortable and the play started to get better. Jamie Tinsley centered for Shaun Kippin, whose back-hander was just stopped by Hartley. Twenty seconds later though and Payette added his second of the game, much to his delight with wild celebrations taking place on the bench.
If the game had been saved from being a Halloween nightmare, losing yet another player was not. Scott Cooper landed knee first into the boards with 5:48 remaining in the game and was visibly in a lot of pain as he was helped to the dressing room. That left Whitley with just three defensemen and were forced to move both Shaun Kippin and Jordan Barnes to take some shifts on the blue-line.
There was also some disgraceful scenes on the Sheffield bench with one particular player laughing as Copper laid in agony on the ice. It must be frustrating playing on a losing team all year but surely a bit of class and respect should be adhered to when any player goes down injured.
DJ Good and Kyle Ross added late markers to increase the Whitley lead but there was still time for some hand-bags at the end.
Charles Thompson had spent the game working his ticket, in fact it began when he exchanged words with Payette during the warm up. Jordan Barnes had finally had enough and asked Thompson to dance with just a few seconds remaining but the Sheffield player declined his kind offer and also that of Payette's who was also incensed by his antics.
The final word should go to the player who did the most to secure the win for the Warriors. A series of outstanding saves from Richie Lawson kept Whitley in the game. In the first period he tipped over a fierce shot from a Senators breakaway, before making an amazing save close to his body that saw him snatch the puck out of mid-air. In the second period Lawson stopped what the home side thought was a certain goal. The Whitley goalie reached behind him to stop the puck on the line. There was time for another save before he made a triple stop with a series of shots raining down on him from all angles.
It wasn't pretty but it was a win, and won that momentarily had Whitley on top of the Standings.
Team News
Player-coach David Longstaff really mixed up his lines for this one with Jamie Tinsley centering Shaun Kippin and Callum Watson. DJ Good and Jordan Barnes joined Longstaff while Martin Crammond had Kyle Ross and Callum Queenan with him.
Alan 'Rocket' Yarrow finally made his long-awaited comeback with a few shifts. He saw time on the wing with DJ and Skippy on the same line while also lining up with Tinsley and Watson. He also added some experience to a line with Crammond and Ross. In a stark contrast to his last game for Whitley in 2004 he kept his gloves on and was well disciplined throughout.
Whitley were already down to the bare bones on D and arrived at iceSheffield with just five players on the blue line (Maddock, Harley, Stamp, Payette and Cooper). Those five players soon became three and now the Warriors have serious problems heading into back-to-back games with the Sheffield Spartans. Does anyone have Rob Wilson's number? we're gonna need you pal.
Jordan Boyle was once again Richie Lawson's back-up with Mark Turnbull unavailable.
11 Kippin - 27 Tinsley - 6 Watson
25 Longstaff - 9 DJ Good - 17 Barnes
13 Ross - 18 Crammond - 15 Queenan
5 Yarrow
24 Harley - 3 Stamp
7 Payette - 19 Maddock/21 Cooper
35 Lawson - 29 Boyle
Opposition View
20 Britton - 21 Humphries - 73 Harding
14 Colton - 6 Thompson - 18 Simms
3 J. Pigott - 54 Hurst - 96 Robjohns
27 B. Jones - 10 A. Bell
7 Gray - 5 J. Bell
4 L. Jones/97 M. Pigott - 24 Martin
33 Hartley - 32 Browne
News
* The game was due to face-off at 3:45pm but there was a 30 minute delay. When the Zamboni's did finally appear it was much to the fans amusement.
* The referee changed during the first intermission with Kempster replacing Roy Hamilton. Baggaley and Otter were the linesmen.
* Goalie Stats: Hartley [12,19,25] Total Shots 56 - Save Percentage 89.29%
Lawson [6,8,7] Total Shots 21 - Save Percentage 95.24%
Other Results
Saturday, October 31
Telford v Sheffield Spartans 6-1
Sunday, November 01
Sutton v Billingham 1-3
Blackburn v Sheffield Senators 12-3
Solihull v Telford 6-4
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