After a brief respite from the rigours of double-header weekends, the Blackburn Hawks flew straight back into festive action with a Christmas cracker of a schedule. With the calendar edging ever closer to the big day, there would be no silent nights for the Hawks, who were tasked with spreading seasonal cheer at the Hawks Nest before packing their bags for a quick turnaround trip east of the Humber. Team news ahead of Saturday’s opener was far from ideal for Blackburn. Sammy Zajac, Jacob Lutwyche, James Royds and the banned Tom Barry were all unavailable, forcing the Hawks into a reshuffle just as the Christmas decorations went up. The silver lining, however, came in the form of Kane Morin, who made his long-awaited return to the Hawks lineup after impressing in NIHL North 2 with the Altrincham Aces. Across the ice, the youthful Leeds Knights 2 side arrived full of confidence, having grown steadily into the season since starting their campaign at Blackburn Arena back in September.

The opening stages of this Christmas contest were competitive, but as the first period approached its halfway mark, Blackburn found their festive rhythm. Having just returned to even strength following a penalty to Hullaby, Luke Watson hunted down a loose puck deep in the corner. With a gift-wrapped pass into the high slot, Watson found James Riddoch, and the Blackburn boy made no mistake, burying his shot to draw first blood against the Knights. If that goal opened the presents, Blackburn wasted no time tearing into them. Less than a minute later, Adam Barnes took the scenic route behind the back of Norton’s net before spinning sharply and sniping his effort into the stanchion, doubling the Hawks’ advantage in a flash. Leeds briefly looked shell-shocked, and their lapse in concentration was punished again moments later. Charlie Thompson pounced on a loose puck in front of goal to treble Blackburn’s lead, ensuring the Hawks sleighed through the remainder of the period firmly in control.

The second period began in the same festive fashion. Another burst of offensive fireworks saw both Barnes and Riddoch bag their second goals of the night within the opening five minutes, stretching the scoreline to a commanding 5–0. At that point, it looked as though Blackburn were cruising towards a comfortable Christmas feast. To their credit, the Knights refused to yield. As the period wore on, the young Leeds side began to show signs of promise. Fifteen-year-old Frankie O’Sullivan struck for his second goal at Blackburn Arena this season, pulling one back late in the frame. Matters became more interesting still just a minute later when Jake Wigginton was penalised for hooking. Blackburn expected to restore their five-goal cushion, but instead were stunned by a short-handed strike from Danny Harrison, cutting the deficit to 5–2 and briefly quietening the Hawks Nest.

Blackburn regrouped heading into the third period, and it took just two minutes for Lee Pollitt to restore order, making it 6–2 and settling any nerves. Leeds again showed fight through former Hawk Daragh Spawforth, whose goal at his old home was a deserved reward for another impressive display. The final word, however, belonged to the Hawks. Charlie Thompson got his second, joining Barnes and Riddoch in the night’s ‘Brace Brigade’ after finishing off a move created by his South Yorkshire compatriot Jack Brammer. It capped a comfortable 7–3 victory and wrapped up the win like a present for all the festive Hawks faithful in attendance.

With little time to catch their breath, Blackburn would be driving to Hull for Christmas for an even more festive face-off against the Jets. However, there would be even less room on the away day sleigh, as Zajac and Royds returned to the squad alongside an unbanned Tom Barry. The Hawks would be meeting with a quietly solid Hull Jets team, who sat perfectly placed at midtable and eager to test themselves against the league leaders.

The Jets got off to a flying start on home ice. After Hullaby again found himself on Santa’s naughty list for a check to the head, Hull pressed hard on the powerplay. Kieran Beach slipped a pass through to Richie Haggar, who converted in style. Blackburn snapped back in quick fashion as Jack Brammer, stationed behind the net, found Tom Barry in the slot, whose initial effort was blocked. The loose puck fell kindly for Brammer, who spun and fired a one-timer past Dan Crowe to level the scores. Hull restored their lead moments later through Ethan Daintith, set up by Scott Morris, but Blackburn ensured they went into the break level. Sustained pressure late in the period paid off as Adam Barnes’ shot, cleverly screened by Andy McKinney, sailed past Crowe to make it 2–2 at the buzzer.

Straight from the restart, Blackburn dominated possession and made their powerplay count. Barnes turned provider this time, finding Royds at the back post to put the Hawks ahead. Blackburn were relentless, stuffing the zone like a Christmas turkey. Slick passing pulled Hull out of shape, and Royds hammered home his second to make it 4–2. Frustration crept into Hull’s game, boiling over like mulled wine midway through the period as Charlie Thompson dropped the gloves with Kohen Taylor in front of the net. The altercation failed to shift momentum, and Blackburn struck again late in the period. Jack Brammer burned down the right wing and squared into the corridor of uncertainty, where Jakub Hajek arrived like Santa down the chimney, just in time to tap in goal number five.

The third period saw the Hawks goals snowball. Just two minutes into the period and Liam Charnock found himself on a breakaway against Crowe. Baring down on the Keeper with tremendous speed, Charnock pulled off a stunning drag-back to avoid Crowe’s poke check, before sliding the puck (…and himself) into the net. Blackburn’s defence tightened things up at the back like Christmas wrapping paper, with the Grinch-like Harrison Walker stealing shots from every Jets attack. Even with a lengthy lead, the Hawks did not stop. Constant pressure in the Jets zone was capitalised upon as James Royds found Dylan Hullaby on the right side of the net. Though the American Sniper thought he had his first goal the previous night, he made it so there was no confusion in Hull Arena – slamming home the seventh and wheeling away in celebration at the culmination of his successful start at his new club. Hull pulled one back on the powerplay through Scott Morris following a Matty Cross elbowing call, but the outcome was long decided. Despite a flurry of late penalties and a fiery finish, the scoreboard read 7–3 once more as the final buzzer sounded — a fitting festive finale to a long weekend. Two games, two identical scores, and two wins for the Hawks.

This maximum point weekend sees Blackburn extend their lead at the top to a fantastic fourteen points, with the Hawks officially confirming themselves at Christmas number one this year. It won’t be a long festive rest for Blackburn however, as they are back in action this weekend for a double header against the Sheffield Scimitars to round out an incredible 2025 for the pride of Lancashire.

 

The Blackburn Hawks will play against the Sheffield Scimitars @ iceSheffield on Saturday December 27th

 

The Blackburn Hawks will also play against the Sheffiield Scimitars @ Blackburn Arena Arena on Sunday December 28th, Face-Off: 6:00pm

 

Article Courtesy of Nathan Dove

 

FEATURED IMAGES CREDIT: Steve Pollitt and KIPAX