Ice Hockey
Barons battle back to draw

SOLIHULL Barons fought back from 3-0 behind to secure a 3-3 ENL North One draw at Trafford Metros on Saturday.

Andy Ayres and Richard Slater struck midway through the first period and Dale White hit the equaliser in the second after Metros had gone 3-0 up inside the first ten minutes to give Barons their second away point of the season.

The result came as a welcome relief to Barons’ management team after the crushing defeat at the hands of Telford Titans the previous week, but it looked as if the poor start to 2012 would continue when Trafford goals on two, three and ten minutes left Solihull starring down the barrel of defeat.

A minute later, almost from nowhere, Ayres grabbed a lifeline when making it 3-1 and when Slater hit home from White’s assist on 16 minutes Barons had the bit between their teeth in search of an equaliser.

And it came after 35 minutes when a neat interchange with Lui Brindle ended with White squeezing home to complete the comeback.

Trafford had the better of a scoreless final period as both teams searched for a winner but Solihull hung on.

Barons had little time to rest after their exploits with an early departure on Sunday morning for the long trip to Whitley Bay which ended in a 7-3 defeat against the reigning league champions.

Sunday sees Barons play host to the Metros in a crucial contest in their battle to avoid the drop.

Tickets will be available on the door costing £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.