DJ Good. Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
After having taken the first of a four game series with Blackburn Hawks, Whitley Warriors were unlucky to come away empty handed from the second on Sunday night.
Warriors were blighted with penalty trouble throughout the game and Hawks were quick to capitalise, finding themselves 3-0 up by the end of the first period.
Whitley reduced their deficit soon into the second period but Blackburn were able to restore their three goal lead, going into the final session 4-1 up.
Warriors again hit penalty trouble in the third period and while they managed to pull a goal back, Hawks again added to their tally, scoring past Richie Lawson in the Whitley net to take the game to 5-2.
However, a short altercation near the end of the game between Whitley’s Andre Payette and Blackburn’s Reece Cairney-Witter gave Warriors some momentum, scoring twice in quick succession to take them within one goal of Hawks.
Momentum may have been on Warriors’ side but time was not. Despite the impressive traveling support supplying vocal encouragement, Whitley were unable to find the net once more to tie the game – final score Blackburn Hawks 5, Whitley Warriors 4.
Warriors face Hawks for the third time in succession next Sunday (20th December) at Whitley Bay Ice Rink in what should be a hard-fought encounter by both teams. The game faces off at 5pm.