Warriors will be without skipper Jamie Tinsley who is unavailable for this weekend’s clash against the Blackburn Hawks on Tyneside while veteran d man Paul Matthews is ruled out as he aggravated an ankle problem when he returned to training recently after a spell on the sidelines.
With regular captain Tinsley out of action the experienced former Solway Sharks forward Adam Reynolds will skipper Warriors this weekend, Adam shared his thoughts ahead of the game against the NIHL North champions the Blackburn Hawks.
“We really need to put in a good performance after the last few results which have been disappointing for us as a club.
“The team all trained well in the week and hopefully we can get a nice run going starting this weekend against the Hawks.”
Whitley Warriors will also be without senior netminder Richie Lawson for the Hawks game however Richie’s younger brother Alex is fit to take to the ice despite taking a heavy blow to the head in Warriors last outing when Whitley faced off against the Sutton Sting at Hillheads in early February. Richie’s absence in goal gives Warriors young goaltenders Mark Turnbull and Joe Harley the opportunity to battle it out for a starting spot for this weekend’s clash with in form Blackburn.
Sunday’s game faces off at 5pm with doors opening half an hour earlier, tickets are priced at £8 for adults and £6 for children while family tickets are also available for £23 which permits entry for 2 adults and 2 children.
Warriors are hoping for a bumper crowd this weekend as Whitley look to improve their position in the NIHL North standings and pull away from the relegation play off place they currently occupy in the Division 1 table.