Jordan Barnes wins the face off. Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
In around 10 days time the end of season NIHL North Division 1 Championship Play Offs take place at Ice Sheffield in South Yorkshire when Whitley Warriors take on the Solihull Barons in the final game of an action packed day that sees the 4 top teams from Division 1 and Division 2 take to the ice and battle for the top spots in their respective leagues.
Warriors versatile alternate captain Jordan Barnes who has been of the Whitley set up for a number of years now recently shared his thoughts ahead of the clubs play off campaign.
“I think the team is more than ready for the playoffs we have been working really hard the last few weeks in training, our fitness is one of our strengths we keep going all night long when some other teams can’t.
“We also have a really strong squad going in to the playoffs as everyone is fit to play. I personally feel ready to play a physical weekend with a lot of energy because the Barons are a similar type of team to us in that aspect as they also play physically and we are going to take it to then straight from the opening face off.”
Jordan went onto chat about how having youngster Callum Queenan back in the Warriors line up after injury would boost the roster on the whole and also about how he has found being one of Whitley’s alternate captains this campaign.
“Having young Queenan back is going to be a massive boost for the lads as we know he can find the back of the net and we will be hoping he can be as effective as he has been all year long.
“This season has been a great year for the club and also having the A has been massive for me it is great to be thought of as a leader and I just like getting the lads up in the room before we play and I will always stick up for my teammates out on the ice too.
Whitley’s number 17 went onto praise the clubs coaching staff.
“The great thing about Dave (Holland) and Lobby (David Longstaff) is they just tell you how it is so players know where they stand and which areas they need to improve on to improve.
“Hopefully we can bring the cup back to Whitley because we have all worked so hard all year and this would be the icing on the cake for us all.”
Warriors Play Off semi final is on Saturday the 9th April at 7.30pm against the Solihull Barons with the winner of the game set to take on either the Blackburn Hawks or the Solway Sharks the following day in the NIHL North showpiece of the season the Division 1 Play Off final.