Going into the Tyne Tees Derby Warriors were boosted by the news that Andre Payette was eligible to play after missing out on the Solway game due to suspension. However Whitley were without youngster Ben Richards who picked up a shoulder injury on Saturday evening in the match up against the Solway Sharks.
The game started at a fast pace as Warriors surged forward from the opening face off however Stars import forward Bostrum quickly counter attacked and he grabbed the visitors the lead just 26 seconds into the game with a well taken goal.
Warriors continued to create openings with Harry Harley coming close to levelling the scores when Whitley were on the powerplay. Warriors drew level 10 minutes into proceedings when the in form Callum Watson stabbed the puck home after a precise pass from linemateShaun Kippin.
Stars retook the lead late in the first when young blue liner Tom Keeley fired home a powerplay marker for the visitors. Whitley roared back into the game in the middle stanza and Warriors led 3-2 at the 29 minute mark thanks to well taken goals from both skipper Jamie Tinsley and the lively Callum Watson.
Stars were then presented with a powerplay opportunity when Warriors Joe Stamp was sent to the sin bin for hooking and Billingham’s special team did their job when a deflected Tom Keeley shot somehow found its way into the back of Warriors goal.
Just minutes later Warriors Scott Cooper restored the home sides lead when he grabbed his first goal of the season with Whitley number 18 Martin Crammond picking up the assist. Stars were level after 2 periods of play though as an Andy Finn shot from distance got the better of Richie Lawson with under a minute left to play in the period.
Warriors continued to create openings in the final session of the game and DJ Good almost grabbed Warriors a game winning goal late on when James Flavell in the Billingham goal was just able to prevent the puck from crossing the line. With seconds left in the contest Warriors player/coach David Longstaff called a time out to outline his side’s tactical approach however Warriors were unable to find an extremely late goal which saw the 2 sides shares the points.
Callum Watson was chosen as Whitley’s man of the match while Stars netminder James Flavell was selected as the visitors top performer. Warriors currently sit in 2nd place in NIHL North Division 1 after the opening 2 months of the league campaign a very pleasing position in such a tough competitive league.
Whitley assistant Coach Dave Holland shared his views on Warriors match against Billingham.
“A pleasing result and I thought we dominated that game at times. We opted not to play Dean (Holland) tonight as he isn’t quite fit yet and Dan Pye had to leave the game as he is still carrying a knock.
“I must mention Kyle Ross as he did really well out there tonight, he gives all he has for the team he turns up to everything works his hardest and you can see that in his performance out on the ice each week. Young Liam Smedley also did well he took some shifts up front when we needed him to and he also played some time on d.
“I think we had performed well all weekend against 2 quality teams, we’ve got great depth in our squad now and that’ll be of great help to us going forward.”
Warriors are in action on the road next weekend when Whitley travel down to Sheffield to take on the Senators (Saturday 31st October, 3.45pm face off). Warriors next home game is the following weekend when Sheffield Spartans visit Tyneside on Sunday November 8th (face off 5pm) for a crucial league match up between 2 sides currently occupying play off places.