SIHA Senior Round-up 10th &11th January 2015

This weekend’s SIHA senior round up reflects on both the Spartans and Senators who shared three home games this weekend recording a win, draw and a loss between them in three excellent games of hockey.

Sheffield Spartans were first up and once again left kicking their heels in frustration after last minute goals denied them what would have been a deserved victory against Whitley Warriors on Saturday.

In what was an end to end first period neither team could break the deadlock with both teams creating good chances but arguably the better ones fell to Spartans who will feel they should have done better with a couple of them at least, which would have seen them in front. However it was 0-0 with all to play for in the second.

Spartans had Warriors on the back foot for the opening minutes of the period and will again feel that they should have made more of their pressure and chances but Whitley soaked up the pressure to then counter and enjoy a good spell of possession in which they gained the upper hand and were unfortunate not to take the lead themselves. Spartans hit back when a nice play out of defence saw Ross Jordan find Ollie Barron who took his chance well to put Spartans in front on 29.25. Spartans were on top of their game and extended their lead when Stuart Brittle scored on 33.06 from Ollie Barron & Elliott Knell. They didn’t have things their own way though as Whitley were fighting hard to get back into the game and it took some sound netminding from Brandon Stones to ensure Spartans went into the period break with their two goals lead intact but deservedly so.

Spartans had been the better team to this point but the final period was initially more evenly balanced with chances for both teams but it was Warriors who gave themselves a leg up back into the game when Scott Cooper fired home a powerplay goal, the result of a dubious decision against Nick Whyatt for holding, which was timed 44.10 with assists to DJ Good & Callum Watson. Spartans responded well to the goal and Whitley were grateful to Richard Lawson in their goal for some fine saves to keep them in the game but he couldn’t do anything about Stevie Weeks goal timed 51.11; a powerplay goal with a cracker of a shot from the blue line that took a slight deflection past Lawson with assists to Scott Morris & Dougie Jordan. It was with some relief as Warriors were just starting to gain the upper hand but they weren’t beaten and hit back hard at Spartans, even more so when they pulled their netminder with just under four minutes remaining but Spartans defence were unshakable and were seeing the game out well until Ollie Barron was called for tripping, rather harshly it has to be said on 59.10. Warriors won possession from the face off to score a well worked goal timed 59.23, scored DJ Good, assisted Dean Holland & Simon Leach. Thankfully Spartans won possession as the clock ticked down and with several options available, including maintaining possession the puck was gifted to Whitley who shot the puck on goal and were quicker to react to actually hit the puck into the net when it should have realistically been cleared. Jamie Tinsley was the scorer with assists on the goal to Adam Reynolds & Dean Holland to see Warriors claim what had looked like at one point, an unlikely point, with the final score 3-3.

Sheffield Senators push for promotion continued with two good performances but differing results this weekend at Ice Sheffield.

Solihull Barons maintained their 100% record but didn’t have things their own way in recording a 6-2 victory. They punished Sens with two goals in the first two minutes through Joe Henry & Tom Soar. With a two goal lead Barons were able to play a more relaxed game and were making Senators work hard who looked a little disjointed at times but they battled away against quality position who finished off a nice move late on in the period to go three up with Ryan Selwood the scorer with a shot that seemed to take a slight deflection past Bobby Browne in Sens goal; however it was a good goal to see Barons firmly in control.

Senators turned things round in the second period with a gritty performance to outsmart their opponents but unfortunately they couldn’t outscore them which were mainly down to the once again impressive and inform Josh Nicholls in Barons goal. Charlie Thompson popped one in from Luke Smith & Cam King on 26.01 with was followed 15 seconds later by Josh Gent who finished superbly after being set up by Tom Humphries & Nathan Britton to go into the final period just 3-2 down.

The final period saw a pretty even contest but Solihull swung it their way with a Richard Slater goal timed 43.25 to make it 4-2. Senators tried desperately to get back into the game but just couldn’t quite find that elusive touch to get back into the game against a Barons team that were always a threat. With just over 2 minutes left Sens pulled their netminder to try and salvage a point but a nice move from Barons was finished off by Andrew Whitehouse to make the game safe. They had the final say with another goal approaching the final minute through Rob Eley to make the final score 6-2 in their favour which was harsh on Senators and didn’t really do them justice but it can’t be denied the better team won who on the day had that bit more class to take the points.

There was no hangover from the previous night as Senators put in a competent performance to run out deserved winners against a hard working Widnes Wild. In a first period that was spoilt by some over fussy reffing Sens scored two late goals to cancel out Wild’s opener that was scored by Lee Pollitt, a good goal too but whilst on the penalty kill they couldn’t stop Sens going 2-1 in front with a Tom Humphries brace.

Senators were in determined mood to maintain their advantage and were the better of the two teams but were sent a few warning shots from Widnes who can be dangerous opponents on their day but with Sens fully focused they couldn’t force their way back in to the game. However, Sens only managed to put one past a stubborn defence, a good goal it was too put away by Tom Proctor timed 35.57, finishing off from a lovely pass from Charlie Thompson to see Sens 3-1 up going into the final period.

With a two goal advantage Senators played some sensible hockey to frustrate Widnes who, as expected, never gave up but Sens were always in control and went onto to win comfortably in the end as Josh Gent & Tom Humphries with his hat-trick goal sealed a fine 5-1 win cement their 3^rd place spot in the league with automatic promotion now becoming an ever increasing likelihood.

Thanks for reading guys. Any questions or comments please get in contact with the Frozen Steel Team on this article, Facebook or via Twitter:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@TomWalkeden
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@RatedRDG

Check out the Frozen Steel Forum

or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com