Callum Queenan celebrates his goal. Photo by Charlie Mood.
Warriors completed their pre-season double against Billingham on Sunday night in what proved to be a difficult weekend for Whitley. Stars were called for an icing 46 seconds into the opening period. From the start Warriors attempted to dump the puck in the Stars zone but couldn’t create any offence.
Matthew Betham did manage an early shot straight at the pads of Turnbull but Billingham came straight back down the ice but found themselves unable to make the final pass. Jamie Ord had multiple collisions in the span of a few seconds as Whitley tried to clear the puck which Barnes had some things to say about as a faceoff was called in the Warriors zone.
Liam Smedley laid a huge hit on Iain Brown nearly putting him back in the Stars bench but Brown’s persistence paid off as he had a break out opportunity turned away by pads of Wardell. It was then Jamie Ord’s turn for a breakaway just after 5 minutes in the first forcing Turnbull to make a blocker save. This would be Warriors’ best chance of the first period.
Billingham had a huge 2 on 1 with Shaun Galloway and Brown but Wardell was able to make the save which saw Wood and Galloway tangled up after the whistle. As the Billingham pressure mounted Ross turned the puck over in front of Warriors net but Wardell again made the save. Connor McNulty would see his shot ring off the post shortly after this which saw Billingham’s momentum end for a brief moment.
Wetherell would control the puck in the offensive zone forcing a good glove save from Turnbull but he didn’t keep the puck with Barnes being a nuisance for Turnbull. However, Billingham would rush down the rink with Spraggon passing to Chris Sykes who would feed the puck to Michael Elder to score 10.51 in the first.
Galloway would skate in with another opportunity for a 2 on 1 with Brown but Warriors defenceman Adam Wood would break this up with an excellent diving block. Billingham would skate back into Warrior zone with Galloway setting up Brown who ripped it top corner showcasing a dominant performance from Stars who would go 2-0 up with 3.19 left in first.
Stars maintained possession of the puck this time Moss had a slapshot saved by Wardell. McNulty skated in Warriors’ zone but had his stick lifted in the final minute. Stars were unhappy over this as they felt it was a hook. Incredibly physical first period for a friendly.
Barnes would be called for a penalty with 7 seconds left in the first period. Stars managed to score powerplay goal as the first period ended 3-0. Moss finished off the chance after receiving the puck from McNulty and Elder from the faceoff.
1st Period Scoring
Whitley 0-1 Billingham – 10:51, G Michael Elder, A Chris Sykes, Tommy Spraggon
Whitley 0-2 Billingham – 16:41, G Iain Brown, A Shaun Gallaher
Whitley 0-3 Billingham – 19:59, PPG James Moss, A Connor McNulty, Michael Elder
Start of the second period saw Ross skate into the offensive zone showing excellent deking and just as he looks ready to go through on goal to shoot is stopped by Stars defence which looked like a clear hook. When there is no call the Whitley faithful grow very frustrated. This was made worse when the puck goes in the Warriors’ zone and there is no call when Wetherell is slammed into the boards and again no call. A very livid crowd did applaud Wetherell as he was helped off the ice and didn’t return. Wetherell would go to the hospital where it was found he had picked up soft tissue damage. From the resulting face off Wardell gloved down the puck from a Billingham shot.
Warriors would go on the attack once again and have the puck in the corner. When Darren Stattersfield would come aggressively in the corner tensions boiled over with many in the building feeling Billingham were taking liberties. As everyone was ready for a fight to break out, Owen Yarrow dropped the gloves and started getting shots in on Stattersfield but before Yarrow could lay the smackdown the referees jumped in. Crisp goes to the penalty box and Warriors were inexplicably on the penalty kill with Yarrow getting 2 for roughing and 2 for a high stick.
On the penalty kill there was exceptional deking again from Ross who danced around 3 Stars but he was unable to get a shot away with the skill bringing a smile to his face. This was a disastrous powerplay for Billingham when it was cut short when Lucas Dowdle picked up a bench minor which gave Hillheads some 4 on 4 hockey.
On the 4 on 4 Ross would pass the puck to Queenan which produced a great save from Turnbull. Stars tried to swing the momentum back in their favour when Brown was stopped in his tracks by Wood who showed good physicality. With 9.23 left in the second period Harley would have his slapshot tipped in front but once again Turnbull made a glove save.
With Whitley unable to capitalise on any of their momentum the Stars would get some continued pressure in the Warriors’ zone. Stars cycled the puck really well around the zone McNulty passing to Hellens who found Elder who found the net once again.
Stars again get mount pressure and after a save from Wardell the net gets dislodged. Play continues leading to further Warrior frustration as they tell the referee the net is off. With 6 minutes left in the second, Warriors were saved when referees blew the whistle early only for the puck to find its way in the net. Stars are back on top after their fourth goal swinging momentum.
Warriors would have a breakout opportunity as Ord’s shot forced a high blocker save. From the resulting face-off brilliant defending stopped a 2 on 1 breakaway from Galloway and Brown. All night long the speed at which these two broke out the defensive zone caused problems for Whitley.
Stars were cycling the puck perfectly in the Warriors zone and Warriors struggled to get any puck possession. Warriors did have a 2 on 1 but couldn’t control the puck to get a shot away. In the final minute of the second Warriors began to pressure Billingham but a backhand from Ethan Reid missed the net and Stars saw out the period.
2nd Period Scoring
Whitley 0-4 Billingham – 31:33, G Michael Elder, A James Hellens, Connor McNulty
Warriors got their first powerplay of the match 31 seconds into the third period when Elder was called for a high stick. Warriors controlled the puck well on the powerplay and Ross forced another save from Turnbull.
Towards the end of the powerplay Ethan Reid shimmied with the puck in the defensive zone sending a Stars player into the boards which drew a cheer from the fans but when the Stars returned to full strength they scored almost immediately. An unforced error saw Warriors turn the puck over and McNulty would feed the puck to Elder who just got out the box and he would complete his hat trick leaving no opportunity for Wardell to stop the shot.
Warriors would finally get on the score sheet a minute later. Continued pressure from the face off saw Billingham trapped in their own zone. Ord would give the puck to Ross who provided an excellent cross crease pass which had Turnbull stuck in no man’s land for Queenan to bury the puck into the net.
Just as the crowd was brought back to life Hellens skated into the Warriors’ zone showcasing great puck control before backhanding the puck past Wardell. Blillingham were relentless entering the Warriors zone and it is shown on the scoreboard.
Warriors would continue to show fight though this time Betham passing to Yarrow who forced another glove save from Turnbull. Moss would then get called for high stick to see Warriors second powerplay of the match.
On the powerplay a brilliant shot from Wood was saved with many in the arena thinking there was a goal. Warriors struggled to find the final pass on the powerplay and Reid managed to get shot away which created some problems but Billingham shut the door and killed the powerplay. Brown would lay a heavy hit on Yarrow which saw Warriors return to the powerplay for interference.
Warriors once again misplayed the puck in the defensive zone but Wardell was able to save the shot with 9.08 left in third. Stars successfully killed the powerplay as Barnes was left upset after he felt he received a cross check to the face but it would be the Warriors who penalised when Wood received 2 for tripping.
Stars again beautifully passed the puck around on the powerplay. As they circled the puck around Elder found McNulty who found Spraggon wide open to score Billingham’s second powerplay goal of the night with a wrist shot.
In my opinion, Kyle Ross was a candidate for Warriors man of the match with a strong performance. He consistently caused trouble for Stars defence and helped create a turnover alongside Harry Harley. Both players were dominant in getting the puck and Ross managed to score while skating to the net. Straight after scoring one goal Ross and Harley were causing problems in Stars zone again after multiple shots on goal one was tucked away by Queenan getting assists from Ross and Harley. Queenan’s second of the night saw Harley picking up two assists in under a minute.
Warriors pushed hard in the latter stages of the third and generated some scoring opportunities. Queenan was probably hoping for a hattrick but shot the puck into the netting behind the goal. Ross found himself in front of goal again and was fouled. All game Billingham were determined to stop Ross by any means necessary and Warriors returned to the powerplay with 2.06 left in the third. Some offensive pressure from Warriors but Billingham killed the powerplay off and saw out the rest of the game.
3rd Period Scoring
Whitley 0-5 Billingham – 42:40, G Michael Elder, A Connor McNulty
Whitley 1-5 Billingham – 43:31, G Callum Queenan, A Kyle Ross, Jamie Ord
Whitley 1-6 Billingham – 44:19, G James Hellens
Whitley 1-7 Billingham – 51:49, PPG Tommy Spraggon, A Connor McNulty, Michael Elder
Whitley 2-7 Billingham – 52.34, G Kyle Ross, A Harry Harley
Whitley 3-7 Billingham – 53.11, G Callum Queenan, A Kyle Ross, Harry Harley
Man of the Match
Billingham – Michael Elder
Whitley – Ethan Reid
There is no doubt the pre-season weekend was not what the Warriors had hoped for and there were some key players missing. It certainly looked like the team missed the leadership from Kippin in the first period but they battled until the end. Obviously, the nature of hockey at this level means you can’t guarantee a full roster for every single match so Willie and Tony will no doubt be looking at this and finding a way to ensure that squad depth will not be a problem for the upcoming season.
It is also important to note that this was just a pre-season weekend to help players shake off any rink rust and make sure they are match fit and prepared for the upcoming season. The players will be aware of the negativity that has surrounded the club online this summer so it is important that as this season gets properly started we get behind the players and make sure Hillheads is not an easy fixture for any team to come and play.