Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors drew 3-3 away from home against the Telford NIHL Tigers on Saturday evening in Shropshire. Warriors travelled south with a strong squad to choose from as the only senior player unavailable for the match up was injured forward Dean Holland.
Warriors had an early powerplay opportunity in the game when Telford were penalised for 2 boarding misdemeanours in the first 30 seconds of the contest however Whitley’s powerplay was unable to make the 2 man advantage count and Tigers killed off the penalty. Warriors then fell behind 2 minutes later when James Smith fired home for the hosts. There was no further score in the opening stanza of action and Whitley trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes of hockey.
Tigers extended their lead 7 minutes into the middle session of play when James Smith was again on target for Telford after some pleasing build up play from import Karol Jets and Callum Bowley. Warriors got themselves back into the game late in the 2nd period though when Harry Harley grabbed a short handed marker after being set up nicely by Warriors power forward Jordan Barnes.
Whitley continued to create openings in the 3rd period and import Andre Payette fired home a powerplay marker (assists Shaun Kippin and David Longstaff) to tie the game up with 44 minutes on the clock. Warriors were comfortably outshooting Tigers in the final session of play and Whitley took the lead with 8 minutes remaining in the game when DJ Good scored a well taken unassisted goal.
Telford called a time out with 70 seconds remaining in the game as the home side looked for an equalising goal. Tigers tactical break paid off as 6 seconds later James Smith found the back of the net to complete his hatrick which saw the contest end level at 3 goals apiece.
Warriors now sit top of NIHL North Division 1 with 5 points from the 3 games they have played at this early stage of the season. Hockey fans are reminded that Whitley are in action tomorrow (Sunday 20th September, face off 5pm) when the Solihull Barons travel to Tyneside for a league fixture that should be an entertaining end to end encounter.