ICE HOCKEY: SOLIHULL Barons moved a step closer to clinching a playoff spot after defeating Whitley Warriors on home ice in another goal-spoilt fixture.
Following a 19-goal thriller between the two sides seven days earlier, both sides put on another entertaining game for fans as the Barons came out on top and moved themselves to just two points shy of a playoff spot.
Andy Whitehouse scored Barons’ first goal with a tap in from inches on the Whitley right hand post eight minutes in.
The visitors were quick to respond though as Stuart Tomlinson scored an equalising goal within twenty seconds of the restart.
Plenty of attacking and counter-attack hockey was played as the Barons and Warriors made eachother’s lines work overtime.
An unsupported Rich Slater then went through a wall of four Warriors to deke the keeper and score Solihull’s second – his 200th in a Barons jersey.
The second period had a bright start for the Barons with Ryan Selwood slotting the puck into the top left of the Whitley net to give Solihull a two goal cushion for the first time in the evening.
It was of no surprise though when the Warriors quickly countered, captain Dean Holland pegging things back to a single goal within a couple of minutes.
Like the end of the first period, Barons headed into the dressing room with a one-goal advantage as Tom Soar fired a shot in from the left wing following a Warriors equaliser.
Within a minute of the restart the Barons had restored their earlier two goal lead – Josh Bruce scoring.
The Warriors still kept up the fight but as the clock wound down their spirits dropped and the Barons cemented the victory with a pair of late goals courtesy of Andy Whitehouse and Dave Rogers.
The Barons are back in action at Sliverblades Solihull this weekend in what is their penultimate home game of the season when they take high flyers, Billingham Stars.
With still all to play for for the Barons expect a strong showing from the Hobs Moat side.
Face-off this Sunday (March 12) is at 6pm.
