SOLIHULL, UK – Two West Midlands rivals will face off against each other for charity this month, as the recently relegated Solihull Barons and their ex NHL star Chris Allen, take on the Coventry ENL Blaze in aid of Help for Heroes.
Fans at Hobs Moat Road will get an early glimpse of their new look Barons team on August 18th as local rivals Coventry head across the A45 for a pre-season game.
Boosted by the afore mentioned former Florida Panthers defenseman Allen, who joined the club from Peterborough Phantoms this summer, Solihull will want local bragging rights after a disappointing 2011/12 season that saw them return to NIHL North 2.
Coventry were also involved in the relegation dog fight but managed to retain their NIHL North 1 status. Solihull, who managed to attract large crowds to their games last year, will be hoping to put on a show for their fans and get the momentum started for a potential promotion season in 2012/13.
“The team are very much looking to this game as a chance to prove to the Solihull faithful that we should have remained in Division 1” explained Barons blue liner Adam Andrews.
“It is important that we show the fans and Coventry that this season the Barons both on the ice and off the ice mean business. The A45 Derby as it has dubbed for some time now is not just a game it’s a game of bragging rights”
“As in any local derby no team wants to be second best to their nearest and not so dearest”
“Its quite fitting that the charity to benefit from the proceeds of the game will be Help for Heroes as games between the two teams can be like a war itself (relatively speaking)”
“At the end of the day its for a good cause and win, lose or draw, what’s most important is that the money raised is for a fantastic cause and is another reason why we are looking to pack the Hobs Moat Road rink out”
Face Off is at 5pm on the 18th August in Solihull and tickets are available on the door. It is an early chance for hockey fans in the area to see local talent first hand and support the Help for Heroes charity.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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