Ice and Slice looks back on Saturday's action, with both the Spartans and Senators in action.
Sheffield Spartans were looking to carry on from where they left off last weekend in Whitley Bay against reigning champions Solway Sharks; and that’s exactly what they did with a high intensity first period to go into the break 3-2 up. Nick Manning opened the scoring for Spartans on 03.50 only for Struan Tonnar to equalise for Sharks on 09.03. Spartans deservedly retook the lead through Stuart Brittle on 11.01 with Nick Manning adding a quick fire goal on 11.23 to make it 3-1. Spartans were caught napping when Sharks hit straight back with a good goal on 11.43 through Steven Moore in an end to end game but one where Spartans were the more dominant team.
Spartans started strongly in the second period and after a couple of near misses made it 4-2 when Elliott Knell made no mistake from close range on 24.20. Sharks scored shortly after on 25.02 through Ross Murray to then go on and enjoy their best spell of the game which saw them tie it up at 4-4 on 29.03 with a good goal scored by Craig Mitchell; one that Spartans may feel they should have done better with in all fairness. Sharks had their tails up but Spartans fought hard and were rewarded with two Ollie Barron goals with just shy of 4 minutes of the period remaining which Spartans confidently saw out to go into the break with a two goal advantage at 6-4.
Spartans had the edge in the final period and looked the hungrier of the two teams but Sharks continued to put pressure on Spartans goal with Brandon Stones making a couple of important saves. However some determined play from Spartans saw Nick Manning to score his hat-trick goal on 44.03. Sharks pulled it back to 7-5 on 48.28 through Steven Moore with little between the teams but as the period ticked down Spartans confidently dealt with anything Solway could throw at them with Sharks just gaining the upper hand in the closing stages but Spartans held firm.
Sharks pulled their netminder whilst on the powerplay to give them a numerical advantage but Nick Manning dug the puck out to win possession and fire it down ice into an empty net to make it 8-5 to Spartans on 59.05 which was the final score. Nick Manning was awarded Spartans Man of the Match Award for his 4 goals in what was a solid all round team performance to secure a well deserved victory.
It could have been a different story had lady luck been smiling in the first period for Senators with a mixture of bad luck, the post and an inform Josh Nicholls between the pipes for Barons denying Senators in this NIHL2 Laidler clash. Although Barons had more possession it was Senators who by far had the best chances but it’s about putting the puck in the net which Barons did on 11.25 with a powerplay goal scored by Joe Henry.
Barons upped the tempo to which Senators didn’t really react to despite their hard work but Solihull showed why they are unbeaten this season. Edward Eaton made it 2-0 on 22.30 followed by a well taken goal on the powerplay scored by Tom Soar timed 26.04. Things didn’t get any easier when a defensive error on the powerplay in front of Sens goal allowed Tomas Janak to make it 4-0 leaving Mark Hartley in Sens goal no chance on 31.40. The game became a little flat as Solihull looked comfortable on the puck and passed it about as Sens tried to get back into it but Barons dealt with any threat to deservedly go into the break 4-0 up and now fully in control of proceedings.
Credit due to Senators, they rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in to make Solihull work much harder this period despite going down to 5-0 on the first minute of the period with Josh Bruce scoring. Things got worse when Joe Henry was picked out to make it 6-0 on 43.33. Josh Bruce made it 7-0 with a superb goal on 45.33 but Sens efforts were rewarded on 47.38 when Nathan Britton fired in a great shot that for once eluded Josh Nicholls, assisted by Sergevs Jegorovs & Josh Gent. Barons finished the scoring to make it 8-1 on 56.17 through Andy Whitehouse to round off a very good display and deserved win although the score was a little harsh on a hard working Senators team that on the day were beaten by a much better team but…?
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