Jordan Barnes wins the face off. Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors hosted the Sutton Sting on Sunday evening at Hillheads Ice Rink in Whitley Bay. Warriors went into the game short at the back as blue liners Harry Harley, Liam Smedley, Scott Cooper and Joe Stamp were all not able to take to the ice for the Tynesiders however David Longstaff’s side were still able to ice 5 blue liners and 3 forward lines for the majority of the contest showing just how much depth there is the Warriors roster at present.
Both sides created chances in the early stages of the game however it was the visitors who grabbed the game’s first goal when Ryan Johnson fired home with 9 minutes on the clock with the assists going to import Sergevs Jegorovs and alternate captain James Spurr.
Warriors changed the game around during the 18th minute of the contest as Whitley netted 2 goals in just 38 seconds of play. Callum Watson grabbed Whitley’s first goal of the evening when he fired home at the 2nd attempt having seen his first effort cannon against the post. Watson then played a part in Warriors 2nd goal of the game as he picked up the assist as DJ Good lit the lamp with a powerful effort.
Whitley had to go on the penalty kill in the 2nd period of play after Referee Emmerson had sent Jordan Barnes into the sin bin on a boarding call. Warriors specialist team were able to thwart Stings offensive moves hough and successfully kill off the 2 minor penalty. Callum Queenan went close for Warriors in the 2nd session of play however Sutton netminder Dmitri Zimozdra was able to thwart the youngster’s effort.
In the early stages of the final period of play Warriors almost extended their lead when Dan Pye’s powerful blast from the blue line was just kept out by the impressive Zimozdra who was at the top of his game. Whitley had the better of the 3rd period of play despite having to adjust their lines when teenage forward Queenan had to leave the ice due to injury.
Sutton were still in the game though at 2-1 down and the visitors pulled their goaltender late on as Sting looked for that elusive game tieing goal however Warriors were able to see the game out and collect a 2-1 victory to consolidate 2nd place in the NIHL North Division 1 table.
Young Kyle Ross was named Warriors Man of the Match for an energetic display in which he gave everything he had for the Warriors cause while Sutton goalie Dmitri Zimozdra was selected as the visitors top performer over the 60 minutes of action.
Warriors goal scorer DJ Good shared his views on the game.
“It was a close game that could have gone either way.
“We were missing a few bodies but we still played good 3 line hockey. Everyone upped their game defensively to grind out another win against a very good team.
Whitley are in action next weekend when they take on the Sheffield Spartans on the road on Sunday in a game that gets underway at 2.15pm at Ice Sheffield. Warriors next home game is on Sunday 21st February when the Sheffield Senators visit Tyneside for a league game that gets underway at the normal face off time of 5pm.