Match Report: Stars v Barons 061122
BILLINGHAM STARS showed real character to snatch the win in overtime over Solihull Barons in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 on Sunday.
A frantic start to the game saw end-to-end action and an early chance for Callum Wilkinson that went sailing just over the bar. A scramble in front of Thomas Brown’s net in the fifth minute eventually resulted in Richard Slater having the goal at his mercy with Brown pulled to the far post, firing into the unguarded net for the opener. An unexpected debut for Rolands Gritāns almost had the dream start when Barons netminder Sam Hewitt had to be on his toes to kick away Gritāns’ first shot in anger. Solihull looked dangerous on the counter whilst Billingham pressed to get back into the game, a feat they achieved in the 11th minute when James Moss collected in the zone and lasered past Hewitt’s stick for the equaliser. In truth it was Brown who was by far the busier of the two goaltenders and the Stars had him to thanks for the score remaining level going into the break.
Billingham got off to the perfect start in the second stanza, Michael Elder getting hold of a loose puck and launching a speculative shot into the top corner on the spin in the 22nd minute. Less than two minutes later Chris Sykes had the chance to extend the lead when free and clear but he showed a little too much of his intentions to Hewitt who made a comfortable glove save. The Barons first line continued to cause trouble and it was they that squared the game again in the 27th minute when Niklas Ottosson flung a blind pass towards goal, the puck finding Philip Mulcahy free at the back stick. Billingham’s reply was immediate, as ten seconds later the puck was at the other end, Sykes delaying his shot before lifting it over Hewitt. A manic half minute was completed 14 seconds after that when Solihull restored parity through Daniel Mulcahy. The game settled a little as both defences rallied, but it would be the visitors going into the dressing room ahead when Philip Mulcahy battled past the Stars blue line and roofed the puck to give the Barons the advantage.
Again Billingham got off on the front foot, Shaun Galloway finding Finn Bradon at the far post from the corner, the 16-year-old making no mistake in the 42nd minute. Just 26 seconds after an Alex Preston effort was ruled out for a high stick, Ottosson moved the visitors back in front with a one-timer into the far corner in the 46th minute. The Stars had to force the game and were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Sykes got the puck under control out front and blasted home. Billingham had to survive a very late five-on-three situation, the buzzer sounding on 60 minutes to signal bonus hockey with Patriks Grigors still in the box.
The Stars successfully played off the remainder of Grigors’ penalty, both Sykes and Gritāns throwing themselves in the way of goalbound pucks as Solihull surged forward. Back playing three-on-three hockey, Billingham put out a very young trio in Tommy Spraggon, Galloway and Bradon, the move paying dividends when Spraggon netted with the clock edging towards 63 minutes for the win and the extra point.
Man-of-the-Match for Billingham was Chris Sykes.
Stars Stats:
Chris Sykes 2+0; James Moss 1+1; Tommy Spraggon 1+1; Finn Bradon 1+1; Michael Elder 1+0; Shaun Galloway 0+1; Callum Wilkinson 0+1; Joe Dowdle 0+1; Alex Preston 0+1
SOG: Thomas Brown 45 (18 / 14 / 11 / 2)
Barons Stats:
Philip Mulcahy 2+2; Daniel Mulcahy 1+2; Niklas Ottosson 1+2; Richard Slater 1+0; Marcus Maynard 0+1; Richard Crowe 0+1; Brandon Anderton 0+1; Kieran Papps 0+1
SOG: Sam Hewitt 49 (17 / 18 / 12 / 2)
Weekend Results:
NIHL(N)1:
Solway Sharks 11 Sheffield Scimitars 1
Sheffield Scimitars 2 Blackburn Hawks 3
Billingham Stars 6 Solihull Barons 5 (after overtime)
Widnes Wild 8 Deeside Dragons 6
Nottingham Lions 4 Whitley Warriors 6