Jordan Barnes wins the face off. Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors’ penultimate game of the regular season saw the Warriors go down to a hard fought 4-1 derby loss to local rivals Billingham Stars on Sunday evening.
Coach David Longstaff and his team travelled down to Teesside without a number of players including Harry Harley, Adam Reynolds, Josh Maddock, Ben Richards and the suspended Andre Payette.
Despite missing a number of influential players it was Warriors who looked to start on the front foot in the opening exchanges. With only a minute on the clock pacey winger Callum Watson found himself breaking down the right before firing at Flavell in the Stars goal, only to see the former Warrior turn away his effort with a reaction save using the pads. Sparked by their brief scare Stars began to press and took the lead thanks to Swedish import Dennis Boström after 3.51 of play.
Shaun Kippin very nearly levelled midway through the opening session but was unlucky to see his wrist shot come back off the post with Flavell looking on.
Boström made it 2-0 around the 27 minute mark, forcing home from the slot when fed by Michael Bowman. Andy Finn shot somehow found its way beyond Lawson for 3-0 while David Longstaff went close for Warriors.
At the start of the final period coach David Longstaff opted to change netminder for the remaining 20 minutes; Mark Turnbull replacing Richie Lawson between the pipes. Warriors efforts were rewarded after 51 minutes when Jordan Barnes stepped into the play as the puck fell loose near the Stars blue line, firing a bullet beyond Flavell.
However, just over 2 minutes later James Moss lifted the puck beyond Turnbull and completed the scoring at 4-1 to Stars. That would not be the end of the action though when with the clock time at 54.30 an incident behind the play saw Warriors goalscorer Barnes receive a 5+game penalty for slashing from ref Pering, as well as an additional 10 minute misconduct penalty.
With the final buzzer sounding and despite a valiant effort from the players in maroon and gold, Warriors just could not get back into the final derby of the season leaving Billingham to pick up the 2 points with a 4-1 victory.