Warriors and Stars fans come together to raise money for young Frankie Sherwood.
The North East ice hockey family came together in their droves this past Sunday evening to witness a NIHL North Cup local derby full of emotion and high drama on and off the ice. A bumper crowd witnessed Billingham Stars edge Whitley Warriors in a nine goal thriller with the visitors running out to a narrow 5-4 triumph.
A double from Callum Watson and goals from Jordan Barnes and Dean Holland weren’t quite enough for the Warriors on a night they helped raise donations and awareness for the family of Frankie Sherwood, a local youngster suffering from an aggressive form of child cancer.
A dramatic late equaliser had seen Warriors pick up their first point of the league season in a 3-3 draw last time out against Telford Tigers, with fans and players alike hoping the result could be used as a springboard heading into the home clash against their local rivals. Having lost both their cup games thus far against Solway Sharks and Blackburn Hawks respectively, Warriors knew defeat would seriously jeopardise their hopes of success in the competition and received a timely boost to their forward lines with Callum Watson available once more. Unfortunately for player/coach David Longstaff, one of his side’s outstanding players from the previous weekend, Harry Harley, would be missing with his place on the blue line taken by the surprising return of Rob Wilson.
Billingham Stars made the relatively short journey up the A19 with a strong roster available for selection. A disappointing 2015/16 league campaign saw the Stars miss out on a place in the end of season playoffs leading to a summer of renewed investment for a team dubbed as “cup specialists”. Swedish import Dennis Bostrom agreed to return to the Forum for a second season and was joined by compatriot Daniel Palmebjork, whilst former Warriors Scott Cooper and Jack Watkins also linked up with Terry Ward’s men. Despite renewed optimism on Teesside of an improved showing, Stars arrived at Hillheads on the back of a worrying 3rd period collapse the previous week when having led 3-1 with 20 minutes to play, Stars conceded 3 unanswered goals before losing in overtime to Solway Sharks in cup action.
With the ceremonial puck drop carried out by VIP guest Frankie Sherwood completed, the action began in typical derby fashion with no quarter asked and none given. The game sprung in to life with 2 minutes on the clock, clear openings being crafted by both sides. Firstly Callum Watson found himself breaking free of the final Stars defenceman, using his speed to collect an ambitious forward pass before working Flavell in the Stars net with a low wrist shot saved by the pads. Billingham looked for a swift response and immediately moved the puck down the rink allowing import Daniel Palmebjork to take aim but with Lawson closing the angle the Swede could only fire wide of the Warriors goal.
Gradually the visiting Stars were starting to apply more pressure on the forecheck and it wasn’t long until Warriors found themselves running in to penalty trouble. Having saw their first two opportunities on the power play quelled by a well drilled penalty kill Stars struck at the third time of asking with the man advantage. Whilst Craig Johnson sat a 2 minute penalty for high sticks Billingham’s extra man paid dividends; Daniel Palmebjork skipping into the slot before tapping home the rebound of his initial shot for a power play marker and 1-0 timed 13:13. The ever dangerous Watson would once again find himself in position to get his team back level using his electric speed only to see Flavell stand tall and ensure Stars took the opening period 1-0.
Having spent time during the interval discussing a route back in to the contest Whitley slipped further behind within 2 minutes of the restart. Unable to win a face off to the left of Richie Lawson’s goal the Warriors D could not locate the increasingly dangerous Palmebjork who picked up the loose puck and wristed his shot high and beyond an unsighted Lawson at 21:35. Billingham stepped up their game but Warriors were more than matching the work rate of their opponents throwing bodies in the way to keep Stars in sight on the scoreboard. With the clock showing 30 minutes and exactly half way through the contest Whitley Warriors had their netminder to thank during a sustained 2 minute onslaught with Lawson blocking and turning away a barrage of shots. Lawson’s efforts had given his team a chance and his reward came with a Jordan Barnes goal, the power forward controlling free in acres of space before skating in and clinically finishing timed 25:35 assisted by Niall Simpson
Back in the game and their physicality starting to unsettle Billingham, the Maroon and Gold levelled the score at 38:40 when Callum Watson finally got the better of James Flavell, taking hold of a Dan Pye pass before calmly sliding the puck underneath the Stars netminder on the backhand. Just as it looked likely that scores would be locked with one period to play, Stars regained the lead when Tom Keeley took aim and hit a ferocious slap shot from the point with the outstanding Lawson getting a glove on the shot but heartbreakingly unable to prevent the puck from slowly crossing the line for 3-2 Stars at 39:55.
Just as the second had started disappointingly for the home team, the opening exchanges of the third period proved to be just as cruel to the hosts. A mere 15 seconds into the final period and lady luck would show her allegiance to the men in red when Michael Elder’s attempted poke check flew up off his stick and found its way into the net behind a bewildered Lawson. Longstaff’s players could have been forgiven for thinking it wasn’t meant to be but still they never gave up. The player/coach saw an opportunity come and go when he was unable to get an instinctive shot away but Whitley were back to within one at 44:13 when Callum Watson was able to strike first time after a drop pass from Longstaff for 4-3.
A renewed hope was sensed in the stands but Stars were keeping themselves just about out of trouble and the game defining moment fell in their favour at 54:58 when Dennis Bostrom ensured an unassailable lead with what would prove the game winning 5th goal for his team. Warriors needed to strike back quickly and Callum Watson saw his chance of a hat trick denied by the crossbar. With 1 minute 10 seconds remaining Warriors pulled netminder Lawson for the extra skater following a timeout and just like last weekend the move paid off instantly; Dean Holland smashing in a slap shot for 5-4 just 6 seconds upon resumption of play but Stars held on to claim a hard earned cup victory.
Man of the Match for Billingham Stars went to Daniel Palmebjork whilst Warriors’ honour went to Jordan Barnes.
Warriors player/coach David Longstaff gave his thoughts after the final buzzer, insisting he was pleased with his team despite the scoreline:-
“I’m pretty pleased with the effort tonight if not the result. We’re short again … I might sound a bit like a broken record but the imports are the difference every week. It’s the same tonight; Bostrom gets the game winning goal and their other important Palmebjork gets 2 goals and man of the match. We’re doing everything we can but we’re just not quite there. Players are missing through one reason or another but the lads are battling hard and as a coach that’s all I can ask for. There will be tough nights ahead, tonight wasn’t one of those nights but we have to keep going when they do come along.
“Rob (Wilson) was able to help us out at short notice, Richie Lawson has been feeling unwell and struggled during the intervals but he’s stood up and been great for us tonight. I genuinely believe the only difference between us and the other teams are the imports. They’re the ones ripping up the league and making the difference. We have players turning up late from work and playing when they’re unwell; giving up their time whilst other clubs can pay their players. Despite the results I’m proud of them.
“Tonight was also fantastic to see such a large crowd come along and not only support the team but also support Frankie Sherwood and his family. I believe the rink management have made a donation and both sets of fans have paid to come in to watch the game and still donate to a good cause. If we can help raise awareness and help raise funds that’s great. All in all a positive night without quite getting the result we wanted.”
STATS
GOALS
Warriors – 4
Stars – 5
POINTS
Warriors – Watson 2+0, Holland 1+0, Barnes 1+0, Longstaff 0+2, Kippin 0+2, Stamp 0+1, Payette 0+1, Pye 0+1, Simpson 0+1
Stars – Palmebjork 2+0, Bostrom 1+1, Elder 1+0, Keeley 1+0, Sykes 0+2, C. Davies 0+2, Moss 0+1, Watkins 0+1
MAN OF THE MATCH
Warriors – 17 Jordan Barnes
Stars – 57 Daniel Palmebjork
PENALTY MINUTES
Warriors – 8
Stars – 2
OFFICIALS
Referee – David Emmerson
Linesman – Hayden Hunter
Linesman – Mark Bone
