Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors battled to a hard fought 3-1 victory over local rivals the Billingham Stars on Sunday evening as the side from Hillheads continued their impressive recent form and ensured derby pride will remain on Tyneside once more.
A brace from Dean Holland helped to down a Stars team whilst player/coach David Longstaff also found himself on the scoresheet once more to take the Warriors record in derby games this season to 2 victories and 1 draw with a final instalment to be played at Billingham before the league schedule concludes.
Warriors were able to name a strong looking roster heading into another intense and committed Tyne-Tees derby with Ben Richards taking the place of Liam Smedley in the only change from the Warriors squad that had picked up a fine 4-3 victory away to Sutton Sting the previous night.
The game started in a tense and nervous manner with neither side able to totally stamp their authority during the opening exchanges. Gradually, the home team began to create some sustained pressure on Flavell in the Stars goal. With 18:23 on the clock Holland found himself all alone in the slot with nobody close enough to make any sort of challenge. Able to take control of the puck, Holland spun and fired a low wrist shot beyond Flavell to open the scoring and send the home crowd into the interval in joyful mood.
Billingham were out early for the 2nd period eager to find a way back into the game as quickly as possible and were nearly on level terms inside the first few minutes of the middle session.
However what looked like being a goalless middle stanza was not as the lamp was lit with 18 seconds remaining, Longstaff forcing home after finding a route to goal from down below.
Into the third and the frantic pattern of the game would continue at pace with Stars grabbing a goal timed at 45:20 through Bostrum to give them hope of making a comeback.
Staring defeat in the face, Stars called a timeout at 58:20 and when play resumed they opted to pull netminder James Flavell for the extra skater. The decision would however backfire as the Stars d coughed up possession of the puck allowing Warriors to work the puck to Dean Holland who calmly slotted into the empty net to make it 3-1 and confirm an impressive 4 point weekend for the maroon and gold.
STATS
Warriors – Dean Holland 2+0, David Longstaff 1+0, Callum Queenan 0+2, Jamie Tinsley 0+1, DJ Good 0+1
Stars – Dennis Bostrum 1+0, Luke Brown 0+1, James Moss 0+1
PIM
Warriors – 6
Stars – 8
OFFICIALS
Referee – Evans
Linesman – Glasby, Lydall
Written by Craig Thorp