Ice Hockey
Allen stars in big Barons triumph

Buy photos » Chris Allen (left) netted three times for Barons whilst Hayden Laverick helped ensure the Solihull goal was rarely threatened against Hull. Picture by Keith Davies.

Solihull Barons 8 Hull NL Stingrays 2

National Ice Hockey League North One

CHRIS Allen’s hat-trick helped Barons return to winning ways on Sunday night with a convincing victory over their young visitors.

The home side started brightly and were ahead after five minutes when captain Allen sent a powerful slap shot into the net following a powerplay face-off.

Andrew Whitehouse doubled the lead from close range a minute later but Hull remained focused and pulled one back midway through the period when Chris Hogarth beat Hayden Laverick.

Any confidence Hull may have taken from the goal was soon killed off in the second period as a dominant Barons display saw them score five times without reply.

The highlight of the middle 20 minutes was a brilliant break by Allen who, as part of a short handed Barons line, picked the puck up near his own goal and audaciously broke clear before firing an unstoppable shot into Hull’s net.

The second period also saw Allen complete his hat-trick as well as fine efforts from Erik Bakalar, Joe Henry and a debut goal for youngster Richard Crowe.

Rich Slater completed Barons’ scoring in the third period whilst Michael Forbes netted a deserved consolation strike for Hull.

Allen, who was named man of the match, said afterwards: “I think I was a bit lucky with the goals. I must average ten to 15 shots a game and tonight a good number of them went in.

“Tonight was good though, we were able to roll four forward lines and the young kids were able to get some good ice time.”

Barons now break for Christmas but return to action on December 30 when they take on local rivals Telford Titans in the Midlands Challenge Cup.

Regional sport »