Douglass and Queenan ensure the puck is in the back of the net. Photo by Charlie Mood.
Whitley Warriors 7 – 2 Paisley Pirates
Paisley Pirates made their first visit to Hillheads since January 2010 and ended up on the end of a 7-2 defeat as Whitley’s unbeaten start to the season continues.
Despite being without import Canadian forward Cameron Ware, who took a knock last weekend, the Warriors were able to make a strong start in what was another physical contest.
An early penalty called against captain Adam Wood proved not to be an issue as the home side were able to net a short handed goal 20 seconds later. Kyle Ross led a breakout down the left wing boards before dishing a perfect pass to the back post for Callum Queenan to slot home.
Paisley would work themselves back level though and indeed would outshoot Whitley 14-10 during the opening session. Former Elite League player Craig Peacock tied the game at 11:40 after Chris Wilson’s persistence along the boards paid off.
However, the home side would ensure they would head into the first break with an advantage after bagging a second short-handed goal. With Ross Douglass serving a boarding penalty, Queenan did well to force a turnover in the neutral zone before setting Ross free with a reverse pass. Still with work to do, Ross was able to advance down the slot before firing home past a stranded Callum Donaghy in the Pirates net.
Whitley carried that momentum with them into the middle period,with Donaghy, who actually signed as an emergency backup for the Warriors last season, certainly the busier of the two goalies after facing 18 shots.
Barely a minute had been played before Ollie Jardine made it 3-1, the youngster racing onto a pass to the high slot after some good work behind the net from Phil Edgar. Jardine showed great composure to take the pass first time to find the net.
Then came another penalty call on the Warriors just after the game’s mid-point. With Douglass in the box again his team’s penalty killing unit delivered once more. A dump in on net from Adam Wood was mishandled by Donaghy and that allowed Queenan to steal in and compose himself before firing home. Ben Richards, who was named as the game’s ‘Ultimate Warrior’, also collected an assist on the play.
Queenan, who posted a five point game, completed his hat trick a minute into the final period. Having collected a Douglass pass inside his own defensive zone, Queenan raced down the right wing before cutting in towards goal and firing across Donaghy for an excellent individual goal.
Whitley continued to apply the pressure during the opening exchanges of the third period and were rewarded with a further pair of goals.
First, Harry Harley got his name on the scoresheet when he scored from distance. Some good exchanging of passes between Richards and Ethan Dunn saw the youngster work the puck back to the point for Harley to fire past Donaghy through traffic.
Then, Douglass completed the Warriors’ scoring with 11 minutes remaining after he converted on a powerplay, after he was able to get a redirect just outside the crease from a Queenan shot.
Paisley would grab a consolation with a couple of minutes to go when Wilson scored on a powerplay, after slipping a Marty Simpson pass beyond Jacob Midgley who had come on in relief of start Thomas Brown for his first Warriors appearance.
But another win makes it five in a row to start life in the SNL and the Warriors 100% record continues.
Shots
Warriors: 42
Pirates :36
Penalties
Warriors: 17
Pirates: 22
Scorers
Warriors: Callum Queenan 3+2, Kyle Ross 1+1, Ross Douglass 1+1, Harry Harley 1+1, Ollie Jardine 1+0, Adam Wood 0+2, Phil Edgar 0+1, Ethan Dunn 0+1, Ben Richards 0+1
Pirates: Chris Wilson 1+1, Craig Peacock 1+0, Marty Simpson 0+1, Ryan Campbell 0+1
Man of the Match sponsored by The Turks Head, Tynemouth
Warriors: Callum Queenan
Pirates: Callum Donaghy
