Weekend Roundup: Match Week 29

BILLINGHAM STARS rounded off their regular National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 season on Sunday with a lacklustre 2-5 defeat at the hands of local rivals Whitley Warriors at the Forum.

Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos

With nothing to play for but local pride, the Stars could not get out of first gear playing against an opponent who needed both points to secure fifth place. Whitley’s need to get something out of the game was evident from the first puck drop, and they were on the board with 61 seconds played, a Phil Edgar wrist shot beating a slightly unsighted Mark Turnbull to get the visitors away. The goal did not provoke a response from the home side as might have been expected, instead the Warriors continued to apply pressure and Jamie Ord ripped one past Turnbull’s blocker in the fourth minute to put them two ahead. Billingham finally roared into life in the ninth minute, Michael Elder on the back door for the tap-in on the power play, but the visitors had the final say on the opening twenty, Turnbull probably wanting back the shot through the pads from Rihards Grigors in the 13th minute.

Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos

Jacob Hammond replaced Turnbull between the pipes for the middle session. Both sides pressed hard, but quality opportunities were hard to come by and neither was able to add to their tally.

Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos

Into the final period, and with Hull Jets winning at Sheffield Scimitars, Whitley would need the points to pip the Jets to fifth and set up a quarter final tie with Deeside Dragons. They started with intent, Hammond pulled out of position in the 43rd minute allowing Oliver King to slot round him. Five minutes later Elder tried to force home from close range and the rebound deflected into the net to reduce the gap once more, but in truth a strangely subdued Billingham never looked like getting back into the game and it was left the Edgar with the poke past Hammond to finish the tie off in the 57th minute.

Sheffield’s loss meant the eighth and final playoff slot was picked up by Nottingham Lions who face the Stars this coming weekend.

Man-of-the-Match for Billingham was Joe Walls.

Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos

Stars Stats:

Michael Elder 2+0; James Moss 0+1; Chris Sykes 0+1

SOG: Mark Turnbull 11; Jacob Hammond 24 (11 / 13)

Warriors Stats:

Phil Edgar 2+0; Jamie Ord 1+1; Rihards Grigors 1+1; Oliver King 1+0; Anthony Wetherell 0+1; Harry Harley 0+1; Adam Finlinson 0+1

SOG: Josh Crane 43 (11 / 14 / 18)

Weekend Results:

NIHL(N)1:

Nottingham Lions 3 Whitley Warriors 6

Sheffield Scimitars 2 Hull Jets 4

Deeside Dragons 6 Widnes Wild 1

Billingham Stars 2 Whitley Warriors 5

Solihull Barons 5 Blackburn Hawks 3