ICE HOCKEY: THE 2016/17 campaign ended in disappointment for Solihull Barons after they lost out to eventual champions Solways Sharks 3-2 in the Moralee Finals weekend.
The Barons produced a highly credible performance in Saturday’s semi-final clash in Sheffield but they were eventually outdone by the top seed and league winners Solway.
Going into the semi-final tie, the Barons had struggled against the Sharks all season having failed to earn a single point against them while amassing only five goals over the four encounters.
They did however step onto the ice with a clear vision of taking the game to the champions and they were the first to get on the scoresheet when Josh Bruce slotted the puck home in the 17th minute.
Solihull’s lasted just a matter of seconds however as the Sharks’ Kim Miettinen evened things up shortly after the re-start.
The Barons restored their lead shortly after the second period puck drop, with Andy Whitehouse this time finding space in the Shark’s defence. Meanwhile at the other end of the ice, Solihull keeper Josh Nicholls was performing heroics, frustrating the Solway forwards and preserving the Barons’ narrow lead into the third period.
The Sharks restored the balance through captain Struan Tonnar in the 47th minute and despite valiant efforts by both sides, the score remained tied at 2-2 as the clock ticked down on regulation time, setting up a period of three-on-three sudden death overtime.
Sadly for the Barons’ travelling support, the Sharks made the most of the extra space and got the all important goal with Duncan Speirs finding the back of the net a minute into overtime, sending Solway to the final and ending the Barons’ season after a very strong final showing.
The Sharks went on to face Billingham Stars in Sunday’s final, emerging 3-1 victors and allowing them to complete the league and play-off double.
The Barons have their end of season awards on April 23 which will be their final event of the year. Work is however already beginning to prepare for the 2017-18 season scheduled to start in the first weekend of September.
