After a quiet one game weekend saw a dominant display against the Telford Tigers, the Hawks were back in action against another Midlands menace – However this time the threat was far more serious. The Solihull Barons looked best set to challenge the Hawks at the top of the table, only two points adrift coming into this decisive double header weekend. A successful start for Solihull, the side has only strengthened since last facing the Hawks at the start of November and have claimed the scalps of the top teams in the division. The first face-off of the weekend would see the Barons beckoned to the Hawks Nest, where they would meet with a Blackburn squad that was missing Luke Watson, Jack Brammer and Cade King. However, Saturday would see the strengthening of the Hawks cast through new debutant Dylan Hullaby. The six foot five winger came to Blackburn directly from Danbury, with his first game being a baptism of fire against the Barons.

Hullaby’s introduction to his new home was certainly special, with the Hawks Nest in full voice as both title challengers took to ice. From first puck drop, the quality of both teams was readily apparent in an end-to-end opening. However, it would be the Hawks to draw first blood on the Barons after Charlie Thompson converted a rebounded shot from Jacob Lutwyche just past the five-minute mark. The winger’s celebratory energy matched that of the home support as the Nest erupted with adulation. The Blackburn faithful would again be on their feet after the Hawks doubled their lead through Adam Barnes. The forward received a sensational stretch pass from Lee Pollitt which left him one-on-one against Graham Laverick, with Barnes coolly waiting until the last possible second to snap the shot around the scrambling Solihull shot stopper. Down by two, the Barons barrelled forward with the Hawks standing strong in their own zone. Returning defenceman Sam Warnock demonstrated this defence with a devastating open ice hit on Matt Maurice, which elicited more excitement from around the arena. A physical first period came to an end with the Hawks two goals to the good and Solihull searching for a solution to stop Blackburn’s scoring.

The second period started and it was clear that the Barons hadn’t found the answer. After some nice link-up play between Matty Cross and Sam Zajac, Adam Barnes stormed through yet again and bagged a brace to sink the hearts of the few Barons fans in attendance. Barnes’ second goal had barely finished echoing around the arena before the Blackburn fans were celebrating again. Less than a minute later and Barnes struck for a third time, securing a remarkable hat-trick in under ten minutes of game time. A clinical, composed finish; both home and away fans inside the Nest were left with mouths agape in appreciation. With the Barons looking to be bottling the game, they needed some action to ignite the team. This Solihull spark came in the form of a Jacob Race strike scored less than twenty seconds after Barnes’ hattrick goal and was duly followed up ten minutes later as Henry Adams doubled the away side’s score. With Blackburn’s lead now cut in half, fans looked to what could be a potentially nervy final period. However, before the second frame could be finished there was enough time for a moment of magic from Liam Charnock. The restless winger pulled off a magnificent move as he span around his defender on the left side before brilliantly backhanding the puck through the tightest of gaps left over Laverick’s shoulder. Not only did the goal raise the roof off Blackburn Arena but it also saw Dylan Hullaby register his first point in Hawks colours. Though the Barons were back on the scoreboard, Blackburn would finish the frame firmly in control of the contest.

The final period of the first game came around, and it was one-way traffic for the hometown Hawks. The first goal of the period saw Liam Charnock switch from scorer to provider as he assisted James Royds for his fifth goal of the season and Blackburn’s fifth of the night. The bull-headed Barons began to see red as the period drew to a close. Corey Goodison proved as much, with a routine interference penalty spiralling into a fourteen-minute punishment which ended his night. It looked as if the rest of his Solihull teammates wanted to join him off the ice as the clock ticked down, however the Hawks were not done yet. A seventh strike from James Riddoch was too much for Laverick to take, as the glum goaltender skulked off for an early shower. Riddoch was swarmed by his teammates as they celebrated the Blackburn boys’ 100th goal in the NIHL. This fitting milestone ended an outstanding night for the Hawks at their home arena.

There was little time for celebration. A swift turnaround awaited as the Hawks travelled to one of the league’s most hostile environments at Hobbs Moat Road. Though not as packed with home support as expected, a sizeable contingent of the Hawks faithful made the treacherous trip to the Midlands to cheer on their team. It was at this very rink that Blackburn’s opening season unbeaten run came to a crushing end at the hands of Solihull in early November. In what was already set to be a tough test, this game would be made even harder by the losses of Jacob Lutwyche and Charlie Thompson from the Hawks’ squad. Whilst these absences left big skates to fill, both Jack Brammer and Luke Watson returned to the line-up ready for the task ahead.

With the puck dropped, it would be Blackburn who immediately set the tone away from home. On the first attack of the game, Andy McKinney dropped the puck back to Sam Zajac on the blue line who smashed a slapshot to open the scoring in the second minute. This surprise start stunned the Solihull support into silence, as their side looked to grab the game back from Blackburn. This fiery opening foray saw both teams use all the physicality afforded to them within the rules, however halfway through the first period, a late Tom Barry check would be deemed dangerous by the on-ice officials, and the defender was punished with a match penalty. Now a man down, the Hawks hunkered down to defend the subsequent powerplay. Whilst the few Barons fans in attendance expected the extra man to be enough to draw them back level, Blackburn countered in crucial fashion and doubled their lead through a short-handed strike from Jack Brammer. Solihull did immediately bounce back on the remaining part of the powerplay, with Lucas Price pulling one back, however the Hawks went into the first intermission looking much more confident than their last appearance at HMR.

The final two periods of the game saw both teams produce disciplined defensive displays. Chances were created at either end, but the threat of the opposition’s counterattack resulted in a more cautious, structured affair. Eventually the defensive dam had to burst, and it again went the way of the travelling team. Missing some of their most important attackers, Blackburn turned to Luke Watson, who became the man of the moment as his third goal of the season also marked the Hawks’ third of the night. This pivotal point ensured a two-goal cushion for the Hawks heading into the final twenty minutes, allowing for a more fluid game plan from Coach Dom Osman’s team. The third period witnessed both goaltenders make key stops, with both Walker and Laverick producing important saves to keep the scoreline down and place even more pressure up top. The Barons would eventually pull another back through Alex Whyte, setting up an agonising finale for the travelling Hawks fans perched anxiously in the away end. Yet from the body language, the structure, the confidence in each clearance and counter, it never felt in doubt. Blackburn had come to the Midlands to win, and they weren’t leaving without doing so. The final buzzer confirmed a one-goal win for the Hawks and with it, a composed and deserved sweep in a decisive double-header against one of their main championship challengers.

The Hawks still reign at the top of the table, however they go into next week’s sole away game eight points clear of the busted-up Barons. Blackburn go back into the Wild on Sunday with an away trip to Cheshire to face-off against a greatly improved Widnes side. Heading into the final stretch of the year, the Hawks are showing no signs of losing altitude any time soon.

 

The Blackburn Hawks will play against the Widnes Wild @ Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday December 14th, Face-Off: 6pm.

 

Article Courtesy of Nathan Dove

FEATURED IMAGES CREDIT: KIPAX