Spartans & Senators Round-Up 29th & 30th

In what were mixed fortunes for Sheffield’s two NIHL teams both did themselves proud with good solid performances from which the final scores didn’t tell the full picture…

Sheffield Spartans triumphed 10-4 in Altrincham against Manchester Minotaurs on Saturday evening. Spartans dominated large parts of the game with some great hockey but also hustled to grind out the goals that secured the win.

The first period started with both teams enjoying spells of possession but Ollie Barron pounced to pop one in from close range timed 6.42. Prior to that Minotaurs had created the best opportunity but a great save from Brandon Stones denied them what looked like a certain goal. Spartans slowly gained the upper hand to completely dominate the period but only had Andy Turner’s clever tip in on the powerplay on 14.59 to show for their efforts and it was fair too say that they’d let Minotaurs off the hook at 2-0.

Manchester started the brighter of the two teams but found themselves 3-0 down when a lovely pass from Nick Manning split Minotaurs defence to find Will Barron who put away his one on one chance away despite Fox’s best efforts to keep the puck out. Just as Spartans were settling Minotaurs hit back with a Tomas Hnilca powerplay goal on 24.16 but Spartans response was swift with two quick fire goals to make it 5-1. James Maughan scored on 25.50, followed by a well worked goal that saw Alex Harding score on 26.18. Spartans had some excellent chances to increase their lead but it wasn’t all one way and they were grateful for some solid netminding from Brandon Stones and Matt Croyle, after changing netminders, to take the sting out of the game at times.     

Spartans controlled the lion’s share of the period and when Shaun Wild on 46.06, then Ollie Barron on 47.59, Spartans looked home & dry. That was until Lee Pollitt scored a very good goal shortly after timed 48.34. Minotaurs almost added another but a good save from Matt Croyle denied them and seemed to stir Spartans back into life to again put Manchester under pressure and to go on and make the game certain. Nick Whyatt scored a good goal on 55.21 to make it 8-2 which was swiftly followed by Dave Pyatt’s effort on 55.49. Scott Morris scored on 58.19 to make it 10-2 and what seemed to be the last of the action. However a lapse in concentration saw Minotaurs pull one back with just 10 seconds left on the clock. Spartans were to receive another shock when they switched off for Manchester to add another 7 seconds later to pull it back to 10-4 which was the final score! Manchester Minotaurs 4 Spartans 10

Sheffield Senators faced a tough test in Solihull against the unbeaten Barons and despite losing 7-2 put up a creditable performance to make their opponents work hard for their win. In what was an even start to the game Barons stole the lead with a scrappy goal to force the puck home through Josh Bruce on 5.13. Solihull gained the upper hand to go two up with a good goal from Joe Henry timed 11.36. Shortly after that we were all subject to a long delay due to a fault with the lighting with play eventually continuing with the problem unresolved. Solihull took control of the game after the restart to score two quick goals, the first from Richard Slater on 13.46 followed by Josh Bruce’s second timed 15.04 to put Barons in front 4-0. It was a little harsh on Senators who continued to battle away to finish the period strongly against a Barons team that looked in control for large parts of the period.

Despite a lively start to the period, Senators found themselves 5-0 down early on to a Tomas Janak goal on 22.21 but this seemed to inspire Sens more than Barons who came under quite a bit of pressure from a  Senators team that were playing some good hockey. However, Barons showed their class when they worked to turn over possession and create a chance on the penalty kill which was put away nicely by Josh Bruce for his hat-trick on 30.33. Senators didn’t give up and it took another good move to set up Andrew Whitehouse to make it 7-0 to Solihull on 33.24. Senators continued to heap pressure on Solihull’s goal and their efforts were justly rewarded when Tom Humphries popped his effort into the back of the net at 34.13. A well worked powerplay goal assisted Sergevs Jegorovs. Barons looked to hit on the counter but a well organised Sens defence backed up by Bob Browne snubbed out any threat as Senators continued to pressurise Solihull and it paid off on 38.54; Callum Rawson taking his chance well after being teed up by Mikey Mawer. Sens almost pulled another back but Barons netminder got enough on it to take the sting out of the shot to see the puck drop dead just a couple of inches from the goal line. Senators finished the period the stronger team and the silence from the crowd as the teams left the ice spoke volumes.

Although the final period was goalless it was still action packed with Senators arguably the better team who were making Solihull work very hard and pushed them all the way and at times frustrated their opponents in what was a good physical game of hockey. It got a bit heated to see Joel Aheran & Josh Bruce exchange blows followed shortly afterwards by Cam King & David Rogers. Things looked like they may have spilled over even more when a Solihull player was cross-checked from behind but thankfully hockey broke out with both teams trying to add to their tally but unable to do so to see the game finish…Solihull Barons 7 Senators 2.

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