Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors faced the Sheffield Senators on Tyneside on Sunday evening at Hillheada Ice Rink in Whitley Bay. Warriors player/coach David Longstaff opted to rest himself and senior goaltender Richie Lawson going into the game against the Division 1 strugglers. Whitley gave significant ice time to their entire roster including squad players such as Alan Yarrow and Phil Pritchard who both linked up with Warriors shortly into the current campaign.
Senators did grab the game’s opening goal though when their captain Nathan Parkes-Britton fired past Mark Turnbull in the Warriors goal with only 48 seconds on the clock. Sheffield managed to stifle Warriors attacking efforts until the 9th minute of contest when Dan Pye blasted home from just inside the blue line to level the scores up. Whitley took the lead towards the end of the opening period of play thanks to a fine strike by Dean Holland with Pye again involved as the big d man picked up the assist.
The middle period of play saw Warriors run into a little penalty trouble during the opening minutes of the stanza however Whitley managed to net 3 short handed goals in around 3 and a half minutes of play through Callum Watson, Jordan Barnes and Dean Holland to take command of the game. After 31 minutes of play Whitley opted to replace starting netminder Turnbull with Jordan Boyle so that both youngsters could get some ice time at senior level. Warriors continued to create offensive openings and by the end of the 2nd period Whitley had grabbed 2 further goals through Ben Richards and Jamie Tinsley to establish a comfortable 7-1 lead.
Whitley started the 3rd period on the penalty kill as import Andre Payette had received a 2 minute penalty for interference at the end of the previous period. Senators struggled to get their powerplay going and Warriors were able to kill off the penalty and return to full strength. Dean Holland grabbed his 3rd goal of the evening on 44 minutes when he fired past the overworked Rob Browne in the visitor’s goal.
Warriors Alan Yarrow was sent back to the dressing room by referee Emmerson on 47 minutes when the veteran forward was given 2 minutes for roughing plus 5 minutes plus a game for spearing. This resulted in Senators having a 7 minute powerplay however the Warriors specialist team once again were able to thwart all of Sheffield’s attacking efforts.
During the final stages of the game Whitley were able to grab 2 quickfire goals as both Callum Watson and Harry Harley grabbed late strikes which saw Warriors claim an emphatic 10-1 victory. Dan Pye was named as Warriors Man of the Match for a superb display in defence while Senators goalie Rob Browne was chosen as the visitor’s best player over the 60 minutes of action.
Warriors Coach Dave Holland shared his views on the game.
“We gave everyone ice time tonight as we operated 4 forward lines and 3 defensive pairings and were able to rest Lobby (David Longstaff) and Richie Lawson.
“Next weekend sees us take on the Solihull Barons on home ice in what should be a competitive game of hockey between 2 good sides.”
Solihull Barons visit Tyneside next Sunday (face off 5pm) to take on Warriors in what should be a great game of hockey between 2 of the top sides in NIHL North Division 1 at this moment in time. There is much history between veteran Whitley import Andre Payette and Solihull player/coach Perry Doyle and with the 2 heavyweights both on the ice next weekend it could be a very eventful game.
Chris Mackenzie