D URHAM, UK – Whitley were able to pick up 4 points across the weekend as Warriors tasted success on the road on Saturday getting the better of the Coventry Blaze at the Sky Dome before a home triumph over the ever improving Solihull Barons on Sunday evening at Hillheads.
Warriors had 2 new names on their team sheet this weekend as Stuart Gibbons made his Whitley debut after moving to Tyneside from the Billingham Stars while Coach Garry Dowd decided to lace up the skates once again to add some experience to his side’s defence. The presence of Gibbons and Dowd on the Warriors roster is a great boost as Whitley’s squad has lacked depth at times this campaign.
On Saturday night Warriors showed a great deal of character to come back from 3-1 down to claim a 4-3 victory. Mark Good, Stuart Gibbons, Nathan Ryder and Dean Holland were all on target as Whitley picked up an impressive win at the Sky Dome in Coventry. This result is all the more impressive as Warriors have often struggled to get back into games once they have gone behind over the first half of this campaign.
The following evening Warriors took on bottom of the table Solihull Barons in a bad tempered clash that saw both sides making regular trips to the penalty box as the 2 man referring system seemed to stifle the on ice action. However despite running into penalty trouble Warriors had more than quality in their line up to get the better of the Barons.
First period strikes from Shaun Kippin and Dean Holland saw Whitley establish an early lead though Solihull did reduce arrears on 12 minutes when Rob Eley fired home to keep the away side in the game.
Jamie Tinsley made it 3-1 to the Warriors on 24 minutes however Barons quickly reduced the deficit once again as Adam Andrews fired home a powerplay marker after Warriors captain Rob Wilson picked up a 2+2+10 penalty for an attempted spearing.
Whitley rallied once more though and Warriors were able to grab another 2 goals before the end of the middle session as Shaun Kippin netted his 2nd of the game before a short handed effort the blue line from forward turned defenceman Nathan Ryder saw Whitley lead 5-2 after 40 minutes of action.
Michael Roger beat Whitley goaltender Richie Lawson after 43 minutes making the scoreline 5-3 in Whitley’s favour which gave Solihull a little hope that they may yet be able to pull off a shock result against the title chasing Warriors.
Roger was certainly in the thick of the action as he was then involved in a battle with Warriors Kevin Bucas as both players saw the red mist and went toe to toe. Roger came off the worst of the two combatants and he had to receive medical attention.
Barons hopes of picking up a positive result at Hillheads evaporated late on as goals from Jamie Tinsley and Dean Holland extended Whitley’s margin of victory.
Whitley player/coach Garry Dowd reflected on his side’s impressive displays against Coventry and Solihull.
“I’m pleased with both performances over the weekend, to go to Coventry and get a win after we were 3-1 down, we kept our composure and came back to win 4-3”
“Solihull have signed a few players and have been getting a few good results. I knew it was going to be a difficult game as they came to spoil our game. We kept our composure and worked hard for 60 minutes and got a good result”
Whitley only take to the ice once next weekend when they make the short journey south to Billingham to take on the Stars at the recently refurbished Billingham Forum on Sunday 22nd January (face off 6.30pm) in a top of the table clash. Warriors are now only 5 points behind the Stars after Billingham suffered a shock 3-1 away defeat against the Blackburn Hawks last weekend.
If Whitley were able to pick up a victory over the Stars next weekend the English National League run in could be a very interesting one given that just 3 points could separate the 2 local rivals who are battlng it out to be crowned ENL Champions for the 2011/12 campaign. Whitley’s new signing Stuart Gibbons will no doubt be eager to get the better of the Stars after he was recently released by Billingham.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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