Flying high at the summit of NIHL1, the Blackburn Hawks made the trip west with momentum firmly in their favour and silverware very much in their sights. A commanding 19-point cushion over their nearest challengers had underlined Blackburn’s authority in the regular season, but league form counted for little as fate pitted them against those same rivals, the Deeside Dragons, in a mouth-watering Moralee Cup semi-final. It was a familiar stage for Dom Osman’s side, who had reached this very final twelve months ago, only to fall agonisingly short against eventual quadruple winners Billingham Stars. The Hawks arrived in North Wales close to full strength, with only Nik Trapans and Kane Morin absent from an otherwise settled line-up. That travelling team’s nerves would be tested immediately inside a Dragons’ Den that was packed to the rafters. Deeside had long marked this competition as their route to silverware, and against a historic rival, the atmosphere was predictably fierce.

The first leg began in cautious fashion, with both sides prioritising structure over spectacle. Few chances were given up by either team, with any hint of space being quickly suffocated by disciplined defensive systems at either end. Harrison Walker and Tyler de la Bertouche were sharp from the outset, tracking the puck well through traffic to keep the deadlock intact. The hostility pouring down from the stands soon translated onto the ice, with the Hawks’ penalty kill tested repeatedly after roughing calls to Sam Zajac and Liam Charnock handed Deeside three early powerplay opportunities. Blackburn weathered the storm admirably, but just as the period seemed destined to end scoreless, the Dragons struck at even strength. A move instigated by former Hawk Damarni James ended with Matty Barlow finishing clinically to give the home side a 1–0 lead at 18 minutes.

Any concerns about how Blackburn might respond were swiftly put to bed in the second period. The home crowd was soon silenced by their former Czech mate Jakub Hajek, as the fiery forward’s cool hands outwitted de la Bertouche to score once again at the Dragons Den. Less than a minute later, the momentum swung fully Blackburn’s way as Dylan Hullaby hammered home the go-ahead goal from the slot, completing a terrific turnaround. Deeside responded by throwing everything forward, peppering Walker with shot after shot as they searched for an equaliser. The Hawks netminder was exceptional, turning aside 16 shots in the period alone to preserve the slender advantage. The physical temperature rose alongside the Dragons’ desperation, boiling over at the half-hour mark when a simmering exchange between Will Harper and Sam Zajac escalated into a short scrap. Zajac emerged the calmer figure, and moments later the Dragons crossed the line as Damarni James was ejected for a serious slashing offence. The dismissal proved costly, and Blackburn carried their one-goal lead into the final frame.

With aggregate advantage firmly in mind, both sides committed fully in the third period. Early Deeside pressure was halted by a high-sticking call on Rhys Edwards, and although the Hawks went close on the ensuing powerplay, it was an even-strength counter that delivered the crucial third goal. Adam Barnes burst clear on a breakaway, deking around de la Bertouche before finishing on his backhand to stretch the lead. Four minutes later, the visitors struck again through another familiar face. Played through by Barnes, captain Andy McKinney cut inside from the left and ripped a rocket into the right corner of the net, before skating straight to the away section in jubilant celebration. The Dragons refused to fold and mounted a furious late push. With eight minutes remaining, Tom Barry’s elbowing penalty gave Deeside a lifeline, and their powerplay clicked into gear. Barlow completed his brace from a well-worked routine involving Witkowski and Cromie, trimming the deficit to 4–2 and leaving the tie precariously poised heading back to Blackburn.

Less than 24 hours on, the rivals reconvened back in Blackburn. The Hawks Nest was packed to the rafters with a familiar blend of loyal regulars and fresh faces drawn in by the magnitude of the occasion. As the teams took to the ice for the second time in as many nights, the contrast from the first leg was immediately apparent. The Hawks were forced to dig deep, arriving notably short-handed for this decisive encounter, with Jacob Lutwyche, Sam Zajac and Charlie Thompson all unavailable. In contrast, a full-strength Deeside outfit skated out with purpose, keen to unleash their firepower and seize control on hostile ice.

The second leg opened in similarly tense fashion, with both teams wary of overcommitting. Chances were scarce, but when they did come, both goaltenders rose to the occasion. Walker and de la Bertouche traded outstanding saves, each refusing to blink as the contest edged towards boiling point. The breakthrough finally arrived midway through the second period, and it was worth the wait. A right-side face-off was pulled back for Bobby Streetly on the blueline. The veteran defenceman stepped into the shot and sniped a screamer straight past de la Bertouche’s head. The arena erupted, one of the goals of the season coming from the most unlikely of sources and extending Blackburn’s aggregate advantage. Discipline once again became Blackburn’s undoing as penalties to Royds, Brammer, Charnock and Barry left the Hawks under sustained pressure. Their penalty kill stood tall, but with seconds remaining in the period, Deeside found a breakthrough. Will Harper chipped a pass across the crease for Jake Witkowski to finish, levelling the game on the night and tightening the tie heading into the final period.

Emotions boiled over in a ferocious third. Back-to-back penalties to Liam Charnock handed Deeside the chance they craved, and Matty Barlow duly completed his two-legged hat-trick, firing the Dragons ahead once more. The next ten minutes were relentless. Deeside pressed, Blackburn clung on, star players logging huge minutes as late lunges and desperation dives were appearing at both ends of the ice. Another penalty, this time against Adam Barnes, proved pivotal. Colin Cromie converted on the powerplay with five minutes remaining, levelling the aggregate score and stunning the Hawks Nest into silence. Blackburn had one final chance in regulation after Matt Wainwright was penalised, but de la Bertouche stood firm. Then came the drama. As Wainwright exited the box, a stretch pass sent him clean through on goal. Tom Barry flew back into Wainwright with the referee determining the discretion to be worthy of a penalty shot…

The drama was unthinkable as Deeside’s shootout specialist Jake Witkowski stepped up. Two games. Two hours. Everything on one shot. He approached. Slowed. Pulled right to left. Walker lunged. Witkowski dragged it back and slid it home. The Dragons fans exploded in celebration…but all for nothing. The referee waved it off, ruling the puck had been pulled backwards. Stunned silence rang out around Blackburn Arena as nobody could quite believe the drama that was unfolding. Play resumed. The buzzer sounded. Overtime beckoned.

Once everyone’s heartrates had returned to a somewhat manageable level, the extra period began with Blackburn again on the backfoot. Due to a last-minute infraction, this 3-on-3 OT would see Deeside start with an extra-man. The away side used this advantage well, passing the puck around the haggard Hawks PK before Colin Cromie came inches away from winning it with his shot rattling down off the crossbar. Moments later, as the ice returned to 3-on-3, Deeside struck the decisive blow. Rhys Edwards turned sharply and fired a cross-ice pass to Matty Barlow, who buried it to complete a remarkable series. The unthinkable had happened, The Hawks had been defeated on home ice, and the Deeside Dragons would play in the Moralee Cup Final.

There was no disguising the disappointment etched across Blackburn faces at the final buzzer. To fall in such dramatic fashion was a bitter pill to swallow for a side that had matched Deeside stride for stride across the tie. There is little time to dwell of the elimination as attention turns firmly back to the league. Blackburn remain in a commanding position but have another statement fixture looming large on the horizon. The Solihull Barons travel to Lancashire as one of the Hawks’ closest title challengers and a side equally wounded after suffering their own shock semi-final exit. With both teams desperate to reassert themselves, this heavyweight clash will surely be another knockout at The Nest.

 

The Blackburn Hawks will play against the Solihull Barons @ Blackburn Arena on Saturday January 24th, Face-Off: 6:00pm

 

Article Courtesy of Nathan Dove

FEATURED IMAGES CREDIT: KIPAX