Shaun Kippin plays the puck. Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors took on the Telford Tigers on Sunday evening on home ice. Whitley welcomed youngster Ben Richards back into their line up as the winger had returned to full fitness after a spell on the treatment table. Warriors went into the game with a healthy squad for player/coach David Longstaff to choose from and Whitley opted to play 4 forward lines and 3 defensive pairings throughout the game
Warriors got the game off to a superb start and took the lead on 4 minutes when Shaun Kippin fired home a powerplay goal, Whitley increased their lead a minute later thanks to a goal from import Andre Payette who started the game up front rather than in the defensive role he has operated in for the majority of the current campaign.
As the 1st period progressed Telford netminder Sam Ellis saw plenty of action with the young goalie making several fine stops, Warriors were able to increase their lead late in the 1st period though when DJ Good shot into the roof of the net after being fed the puck by his linemate Callum Watson.
The 2nd stanza of play saw Warriors continue on the front foot and midway through the period Whitley netted a pair of short handed goals. The first shorthanded effort came about when a Harry Harley effort from the blue line got the better of Ellis in the visitor’s goal before a well worked strike from Martin Crammond found the back of the net after some neat build up play from DJ Good. With a 5-0 lead Whitley opted to give young goaltender Mark Turnbull some ice time while squad players Alan Yarrow and Phil Pritchard also played a number of shifts.
The third period saw Warriors continue to create chances and Shaun Kippinm grabbed his 2nd goal of the game on 44 minutes. Shortly afterwards Warriors got 2 powerplay opportunities in quick succession and Whitley’s special team took advantage with goals through Adam Reynolds and Callum Watson while Warriors had the man advantage.
Tigers grabbed a consolation strike through Simon Harrison on the powerplay after 50 minutes of play while Warriors young winger Kyle Ross was in the penalty box for a hooking misdemeanour.
Despite holding a 8-1 lead Warriors continued to develop openings and with just seconds left in the game Shaun Kippin netted his 3rd goal of the evening which saw Whitley’s popular number 11 claim his 1st hatrick since he rejoined Warriors in the summer of 2015. This late goal saw the game end 9-1 in the home sides favour. Martin Crammond was named Warriors Man of the Match for his efforts out on the ice while Telford’s goalie Sam Ellis was chosen as the visitors top player.
Warriors alternate captain Jordan Barnes shared his views on the game.
“I enjoyed the game tonight, I thought we play we played well and got the result we needed. The youngsters like Kyle(Ross) and Liam (Smedley) played well, Ben (Richards) came back into the line up tonight and he did well he had a couple of chances in front of goal but sometimes they just don’t go in for you. Mark (Turnbull) also saw a little bit of ice time and he’s been playing well in practise so that’s good.
“I’m quite happy with my own form though I’d like a few more goals. I’m playing physically though and I’d like to put some more points on the boards in the coming weeks in whatever role I play for the team. I know my role on the wing but I can also play at centre and in defence too and if I’m needed to play in those positions in the coming weeks I’ll switch positions.
“We’ve picked up no injuries tonight and are looking forward to next week’s games away at Solway and then at home to Sheffield. We feel we’ve got something to prove against Sheffield and I feel that one could be quite a feisty game.
Callum Queenan should be back for next weekend’s games as he was missing tonight with a knock to his ankle but I think he should be fine in a week’s time.”
Warriors are in NIHL North Division 1 action twice next weekend with an away game in the Scottish borders on Saturday evening against the Solway Sharks before a home game next Sunday when the Sheffield Spartans visit Hillheads in a game that gets underway at the normal home face off time of 5pm.