Whitley took a strong squad across the Pennines to face the Blackburn Hawks on Saturday evening. Youngsters Ben Richards and Callum Read once again both travelled with Warriors following some encouraging displays in NIHL North before the festive break.
Simon Leach opted to play the experienced goaltender Richie Lawson in nets ahead of the up and coming netminder Mark Turnbull who had put in some impressive displays before the Christmas break.
Once the action got underway Warriors had an early power play opportunity when Hawks Cairney-Witter was penalised for hooking. Whitley put the Blackburn goal under a great deal of pressure when they had the man advantage but they were unable to light the lamp.
It was the home side who opened the scoring though on 8 minutes when the experienced forward Adam Brittle fired home after some nice approach play from Hawks skipper Chris Arnone.
Warriors were unfortunate not to end the first period level as Christian Johnson, Adam Reynolds and Callum Watson all had attempts turned away by Daniel Brittle in the home sides net.
Whitley started the 2nd period on the powerplay as Hawks player/coach Jared Owen picked up a hooking penalty with only 2 seconds left in the opening session of play. Warriors were unfortunately unable to make the extra skater count on this occassion.
As the period progressed Blackburn began to lose their discipline a little as Cairney-Witter got 2 plus 10 for a check from behind and Rick Ravey got 2 minutes for high sticking.
It was while Hawks were short handed that they got the games 2nd goal when Adam Brittle fired past Richie Lawson on 29 minutes to the delight of the home fans in attendance at the Blackburn Ice Arena.
Warriors exerted a great deal of pressure on the Hawks net during the remainder of the middle period of play however Danny Brittle in the Blackburn net was equal to everything he faced.
Whitley started the 3rd period positively looking for a goal to get them back into the game however Hawks increased their lead just 90 seconds into the session when Sam Dunford found the back of the net.
Blackburn increased their advantage to 4-0 on 48 minutes when import forward Jonathan Adams fired home. Warriors continued to create their own openings however Hawks netminder Brittle was in top form and he thwarted Whiteys offensive efforts time and time again.
With just over 2 minutes left in the contest Warriors Coach Simon Leach made the brave decision to pull his goalie for the extra out skater as Whitley looked to get themselves on the scoresheet.
Warriors had several close range efforts on Brittle but once again the talented shot stopper was able to turn all of Whitley’s attempts away.
Hawks netted their 5th goal of the game into the empty net with 70 seconds left in the game when Jonathan Adams got his 2nd goal of the game.
Daniel Brittle was named Blackburn man of the match for his shut out in which he faced 33 shots on his goal while Whitley netminder Richie Lawson was selected as Warriors best player on the night.
Whitley are back in action on Sunday evening (face off 5pm) when Warriors take on the Solway Sharks at Hillheads in a NIHL North Moralee Conference encounter.