Martin Crammond. Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors travelled down to Sheffield to take on the Spartans on Sunday afternoon at Ice Sheffield. Whitley were without several senior players due to injury and illness which saw player/coach David Longstaff fully utilise his large roster of players. Forward Martin Crammond moved back into defence for Warriors as a number of Whitley’s blue liners such as Joe Stamp, Andre Payette, Scott Cooper and youngsters Liam Smeldey and Craig Johnson were all unable to take part in the match up.
Neither side were able to get on the scoresheet in the opening period of play despite both sides having powerplay opportunities as the officials on duty called 3 minor and 4 major penalties during the first 20 minutes of action. Warriors David Longstaff and Shaun Kippin were both sent to the sin bin by referee Paul Staniforth.
The home side took the lead on 32 minutes when Spartans d man David Pyatt fired past Warriors netminder Richie Lawson. Warriors were not behind for long though as Dean Holland grabbed the equaliser under 2 minutes later when he netted on the powerplay assisted by the hard working Shaun Kippin. Whitley had another poweprlay opportunity late in the 2nd period however the Spartans defence were able to see off the visitor’s offensive threat on that occasion.
Whitley edged ahead with 48 minutes on the clock thanks to a goal from youngster Ben Richards after he had been nicely set up by the experienced Adam Reynolds. With under 3 minutes remaining in the match up a cross checking penalty was called on Spartans defenceman Dougie Jordan and bizarrely there was no further play in the contest with the reasons behind the officials decision to end the match early as yet unknown.
Teenage forward Kyle Ross picked up the Man of the Match award for Warriors as reward for his energetic display while Spartans goaltender Andy Bagshaw who saved 39 out of the 41 shots that came his way was chosen as the home sides best player on the night. Kyle’s man of the match award is the youngsters 2nd in successive games as he was also chosen as Warriors top performer in last Sundays home victory over the Sutton Sting.
Warriors Shaun Kippin shared his views on the game.
“Sheffield are a good hard working team and we out worked them tonight. Their goalie has kept score close but we dug deep at 1-0 down and found a way to win.
“I thought Martin Crammond had a great game on defence for first time in his career and Dean Holland has scored again for us this week. Overall it was good team performance, which is what we need in the run up to the playoffs.”
Warriors are back in action on home ice next weekend on Sunday 21st February when the Sheffield Senators visit Tyneside for a NIHL North Division 1 encounter that gets underway at Hillheads at 5pm. Whitley hope to have a larger squad of players available next weekend as players return from both illness and injury during the next 7 days.
Chris Mackenzie