(Image permission: IceHockeyMedia)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Whitley Warriors secured the North East bragging rights over Billingham Stars after coming from behind to record a 4-3 victory in Moralee D1 on Sunday.
Billingham led 3-1 early in the second period, but Whitley fought back to level the game early in the final session. Adam Finlinson’s goal four minutes from time sealed the points for David Longstaff’s side.
Philip Mulcahy bagged the shoot-out winner for Solihull Barons in their 9-8 victory at home to Hull Pirates.
Sheffield Steeldogs eased to a 6-2 home success against Nottingham Lions – James Spurr hit a hat-trick.
Kieran Brown weighed in with a couple of goals as Blackburn Hawks triumphed 7-2 at Deeside Dragons.
In the NIHL National Cup, Solway Sharks and Hull recorded home victories over Billingham and Sheffield respectively. Telford Tigers were beaten home and away by Swindon Wildcats in the NIHL Autumn Cup.
Altrincham Aces are the new leaders in Laidler D2 after picking up a pair of victories over the weekend.
The Aces won 4-1 at Coventry Blaze and followed up with a 14-0 home success against Deeside Dragons 2 – Corey Lee (5) and Jakub Hajek (4) topped the scoring against the North Wales side.
Sutton Sting won 8-6 at Sheffield Senators – Joe Colton (2), Scott Morris (2) and Ryan Johnson (2) were amongst their scorers. The Senators bounced back the following day with a 4-1 win at Blackburn Hawks 2.
Richard Haggar scored six for Hull Jets in their 11-1 win at Deeside, while Karol Jets hit a hat-trick as Telford Tigers 2 won 7-5 at Bradford Bulldogs.
PHN’s top two talking points
Management by committee isn’t working
One win in 12 games. Whichever way you flower it up that’s a shocking start to the season for Billingham Stars. Their passionate fans are getting restless about the situation and rightly so.
Questions over the team’s apparent “management by committee” are being asked and it’s time for Director of Hockey Terry Ward to resolve the situation once and for all.
In the short term Billingham should turn to Garry Dowd and hand him sole control. Looking outside the club could be the way to go in the future, but Dowd’s no-nonsense style is what’s needed right now – without interference from elsewhere.
Sutton quietly going about their business
While much of the title talk in D2 has centred around Widnes Wild and Altrincham Aces this season, Sutton Sting are quietly moving into contention.
Sutton have won five out of six games this term, with a narrow defeat at Widnes the only blemish on their record.
Player/Coach Simon Butterworth is doing an excellent job mixing some promising youngsters with the club’s more senior players and they’re a team worth keeping an eye on over the coming months.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Billingham Stars 3-4 Whitley Warriors
Deeside Dragons 2-7 Blackburn Hawks
Sheffield Steeldogs 6-2 Nottingham Lions
Solihull Barons 9-8 Hull Pirates (SO)
Laidler D2
Altrincham Aces 14-0 Deeside Dragons 2
Blackburn Hawks 2 1-4 Sheffield Senators
Bradford Bulldogs 5-7 Telford Tigers 2
Coventry Blaze NIHL 1-4 Altrincham Aces
Deeside Dragons 2 1-11 Hull Jets
Sheffield Senators 6-8 Sutton Sting
NIHL National Cup
Hull Pirates 5-4 Sheffield Steeldogs (OT)
Solway Sharks 7-2 Billingham Stars
NIHL Autumn Cup
Swindon Wildcats 2-1 Telford Tigers
Telford Tigers 1-3 Swindon Wildcats
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