On Sunday evening Warriors took on play off rivals the Sutton Sting on home ice at Hillheads. Going into the game Sutton sat in 4th position in the Conference standings 2 points and 2 places above Whitley in the table.
Warriors used 7 defenceman during the contest along with 4 forward lines as Whitley made full use of their large roster. Netminder Richie Lawson started the game inbetween the posts with teenage goaltender Mark Turnbull acting as the back up goalie.
Once the action got underway there was little to separate the two sides during the first half of the opening period of action however Whitley then took 2 minor penalties for roughing which saw Jamie Tinsley and Rob Wilson sent to the sin bin. Warriors were able to kill of these infringements though and the 1st period ended scoreless with both netminders making a number of smart saves.
Just 2 minutes into the 2nd session of play James Spurr grabbed the opening goal of the game for the visitors when he fired past Richie Lawson after being set up by teammate Mark Turner. Warriors did not let this setback stifle their own offensive play though and Whitley tied the game up 4 minutes later when d man Paul Matthews netted his first goal for Warriors since he recently came out of retirement and got back out onto the ice.
After 37 minutes of play Sutton thought they had taken the lead when James Spurr fired a rebound into the Whitley net however the goal was disallowed for high sticks by the refeering duo of Tony Boynton and Mel Lydell.
Going into the final period of play with the score tied at 1-1 both sides were looking for that 1 play which could open up the opposing defence and grab that all important goal and after 49 minutes of play Karl Culley lit the lamp for Whitley when he fired past Dmitri Zimozdra after being nicely set up by speedy winger Callum Watson. Warriors continued to create chances and with less than 6 minutes remaining in the game Harry Harley made it 3-1 in Whitley’s favour when he found the bottom corner of the net with a precise strike from the left wing.
Sutton tried everything they could to get back into the game late on as Sting Coach Ian Johnson called a time out to outline his preferred tactics to his team and then pulled his goalie so his side could have an extra out skater however Warriors were able to see the game out and claim a 3-1 victory that sees Whitley move into the final play off spot in the table at the expense of Sutton.
Callum Watson of Whitley was chosen as Warriors Man of the Match for his hard working display up front while visiting goaltender Dmitri Zimzodra was selected as Sutton’s best player during the contest.
Warriors Points
Karl Culley and Paul Matthews 1+1, Harry Harley 1+0, Ben Richards, Callum Watson, Adam Reynolds and Dan Harris 0+1
Sting Points
James Spurr 1+0, Mark Turner 0+1
Period Scores
0-0, 1-1, 2-0
Penalty Minutes
Whitley -8 Sutton – 4
Whitley Coach Simon Leach shared his views on Warriors match up against the Sting.
“Every game is a cup final for us now and I’m extremely proud of our display against Sutton. Richie Lawson was outstanding when he was called upon and the guys in front of him worked really hard. I think ourselves and the Sting are 2 well matched teams however when Karl (Culley) and Harry (Harley) got goals in the 3rd period it took the wind out of Sutton’s sails.
“Everyone contributed to our victory and all the young lads played really well again and everyone should be ready and available for our next game against Blackburn.”
Whitley defenceman Ross Hanlon will play no further part in Warriors season as he is taking some time away from the sport due to personal reasons.
Warriors are in action on just one occasion next weekend on Sunday evening when Whitley take on the Blackburn Hawks in an important NIHL North Moralee Conference encounter at home at Hillheads Ice Rink with face off at the normal time of 5pm. Whitley have 4 Conference games left this season and with 3 of these games on home ice all Warriors fans have several opportunities to get down to the rink and cheer their team on between now and the end of the regular campaign.