Old rivalries were renewed on Sunday evening, as the Hawks hosted the Stars, in the first Cup match of the season. Having recently secured their first ever trophy in the visitor's own Arena at the end of last season, the Hawks were only too aware that Billingham would be going 'all-out' to re-dress the balance. Both teams were missing players, but one noticeable addition to the opposing ranks was the return between the pipes of James Flavell. In the absence of no.1 goal-tender, Danny Brittle, Blackburn gave a start to Stuart Ashton, and he rose to the challenge admirably.
As usual, a large group of supporters had headed down from the North East, making for a great atmosphere as both teams took to the ice.
The first period began with Blackburn straight onto the offensive, and with only 3 minutes gone, Adam Brittle was the first to test the reflexes of Flavell, but his shot was well saved. Then, the marauding Miles Dacres used his silky skills to carry the puck around the back of the net, before picking out the approaching Aaron Davies in front of goal, but his first-time effort struck the Stars goalie in the chest, and rebounded to safety. However, the visitors always looked dangerous on the break, and responded by testing Ashton with a couple of long-range efforts, which the youngster dealt with comfortably. The speed of Dacres was causing problems for the Billingham defence, and he broke away down the left, before once again linking up with Davies. He, in turn, fed Brittle, but with only Flavell to beat, he mis-controlled the puck, and the chance went begging. The first penalty of the evening went to Davison, for obstruction, allowing the Hawks a two minute powerplay. However, the over-eagerness of the forwards saw them continually being caught offside, and they couldn't create any chances. A 'charging' penalty against Jared Owen gave Billingham a foot-hold in the game, but although they pressed, the Blackburn defence held firm. Ivo Dimitrijevs received a blow to the face, from an errant stick, and in the ensuing two minutes, the Stars goal was breached for the first time. Good passing around the net saw the Hawks work the puck out to the impressive Scott Robson, and although his fierce shot found the back of the net, the referee deemed there to have been players in the crease, and the goal was chalked off.
The second period started in dramatic style, when Bob Streetly took a puck straight in the face, and was forced off the ice. He received treatment whilst blood was removed from the pad, and was able to rejoin the game shortly after. On 25 minutes, the Stars bench was called for 'changing on the icing', and the Hawks took full advantage. Robson took control in the opposing zone, and found Danny Mackriel in-close, who was able to force the puck under Flavell, marginally before the whistle was blown. Minutes later, Rick Hughes was set free on the right, but as he was about to enter the Billingham zone, with only Flavell to beat, a full-length dive from a defenceman saw him robbed of possession. The physical aspect began to emerge, as both teams increased the intensity, with Davies smashing Moss into the boards. On 32 minutes, the visitors got back on level terms, when a speculative long-range shot from Bowman hit a skate, and deflected beyond the unfortunate Ashton, into the bottom corner of the goal. The game was in the balance, and everyone in the Arena knew that the next score could be pivotal. The Hawks fans turned up the volume - accompanied by the incessant pounding of the drum from the balcony, and the players responded on the ice. Chris Arnone combined well with Robson and Davies, but was denied by Flavell, then Brittle broke away, but he elected to shoot at goal, rather than feed the supporting Davies, who was free on the left.
At 1-1 going into the final period, the last 20 minutes was always going to be a nervous affair, and so it proved. Straight from the face-off, Davies forced the netminder into a fine glove-save, and then within a minute, Dimitrijevs produced a carbon-copy, with a similar outcome. The game was becoming more open, and both keepers were tested regularly, ably assisted by resolute defending. A Stars powerplay saw the Blackburn defence stretched to the maximum, but they worked tirelessly, denying the forwards any time, with Craig Rogers throwing his considerable frame in front of two slapshots. With only 3 minutes remaining, Arnone and Windridge took penalties for 'high sticks' and 'hooking', respectively, and it was during the following 4-on-4, that the real drama unfolded. Billingham pressed forward, and were unfortunate to see a shot ping off the post. The crowd heaved a universal sigh of relief as the puck was played forward, and were on their feet as Owen gained control on the left-hand side of goal. With Flavell prostate in his crease, the Blackburn Coach was able to guide the puck into the path of Rogers, and he made no mistake - sparking deafening scenes of celebration from the stands. In the final minute, the visitors pulled their netminder, pouring forward in search of an equaliser, and almost found it in the final few seconds. A shot was destined to creep just inside the near post, but an unbelievable reflex save by Ashton kept the Hawks ahead, and they saw out the remainder of the match, to secure the win.
Although there were several contenders for MVP, it was deservedly given to Stuart Ashton for his competent display between the pipes.
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