DURHAM, UK – Whitley Warriors began their Northern Cup campaign last weekend with a home and away double header against the Solway Sharks. Warrior’s rookie coach Garry Dowd has assembled what looks to be a solid roster of players ahead of the 2011/12 campaign however Whitley were handed a 7-1 drubbing on Saturday night in Scotland.
Whitley put in a much improved display on Sunday evening when the Sharks visited Hillheads as Warriors skated hard to earn a hard fought 4-3 victory. Callum Watson was the star of the show for Warriors as the young forward was central to most of Whitley’s bright offensive play. Jamie Tinsley formerly of the Newcastle Viper also got on the scoresheet for Warriors as Dowd’s revamped squad picked up a superb victory against a strong looking Sharks team.
Picking up a win and a loss from last weekend’s Solway double is a credible start to the season given that Warriors have lost a host of experienced players over the summer months as the likes of Adam Reynolds, Karl Culley, Dan Harris and James Flavell have all left the Bay. It is hoped that the close season acquisitions such as the Pritchard brother from Billingham, Callum Pattinson from the Northern Stars and Jamie Tinsley can help Whitley to retain their English National League title when the league season gets underway this coming weekend. Warriors face the Sheffield Spartans on home ice on Sunday night (September11th, 5pm).
Whitley will be hoping that starting netminder Andrew Jaszczyk will be able to take to the ice to face Sheffield as the former Elite League back up was not able to take part against Solway at the weekend. Club captain Rob Wilson could well also be involved after also missing out on the opening games of the 2011/12 campaign.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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