ICE HOCKEY: THERE’S reason to be cheerful in the Solihull Barons locker room as four points were secured from two away matches at the weekend.
The Barons first edged a 2-1 win in Blackburn against the Hawks before cruising to a comfortable 6-1 win against Nottingham Lions on Sunday.
Barons were made to work hardest on Saturday night in Blackburn, where it took them more than 30 minutes to break the deadlock as Josh Bruce found the net.
Adam Brittle doubled the lead with ten minutes to go before Hawks’ Jozef Istocy pulled one back as the clock ticked down.
But Barons held on to earn a timely two points on the road.
The low scoring affair proved a complete contrast to Sunday’s game as Barons travelled south to face Nottingham Lions.
Nottingham made the brighter start and were unlucky not to take an early lead when Lions’ first goal was scratched.
Barons took advantage of the call to take the lead on eight minutes when Richard Crowe picked up his first goal of the season.
Ed Eaton and Adam Brittle added to Barons’ tally in the middle period before Nottingham’s Paul Stanley pulled one back to encourage the home side into launching a comeback.
But it proved in vain as Tomas Janak bagged Barons’ fourth goal at the end of the second period to restore the visitors three-goal lead.
Lions pushed forward at the start of the third period, but this prompted gaps to be exposed at the back – and Barons were soon back on the scorechart.
Markers from Luke Brittle and Tom Soar wrapped up another two points for Barons as Rich Crowe and ex-Baron Luke Smith dropped the gloves as the game ended.
Barons next face Whitley Warriors at home this weekend. Face off is at 6pm.
