ICE HOCKEY: SOLIHULL Barons saw their play-off hopes take a dent after losing 4-2 at home to second-placed Billingham Stars.
The Teesiders stepped onto the Hobs Moat Ice on Sunday with a point to prove having produced a disappointing performance against Blackburn Hawks last week, and they did just that in what was a lively battle.
Chances were plentiful in the open period but in reality it was the visitors who edged the contest in the early stages, with Solihull riding their luck on more than one occasion in the first 20 minutes.
The Barons’ attacking options were more limited and tended to come from range rather than the chaos around a crowded goal crease.
It was not unexpected therefore when the visitors went in front with just over a minute of the period to go with James Moss slotting home from close range following a turnover in the Barons end.
The second period proved stronger for the Barons and four minutes in Rich Slater picked up a pass from Tom Soar in the left-hand circle before calmly firing the puck into the roof of the Billingham net for the equaliser.
The sides continued to trade shots with the Barons generally having the edge and this was witnessed by Tom Soar getting the go-ahead goal five minutes from the period end.
The 40-minute slot was marked with some minor handbags after Niklas Ottosson was knocked to the ground after skating in on the Billingham goal to force a puck freeze by James Flavell in the Billingham net.
With the game perfectly poised at 2-1, there was everything to play for in the final period but it was the visitors who quickly worked their way back into the game with James Moss getting his second goal of the game five minutes into the period.
Further goals by Jack Watson and Callum Davies followed to see the Barons denied any share of the points.
The Barons now face a weekend on the road with away ties at Solway Sharks on Saturday followed by a visit to Blackburn Hawks on Sunday.
