With the race for a play-off spot gathering momentum, Sunday's clash between the Hawks and Sutton Sting had the potential to be a classic. Both teams had been on impressive streaks recently, and this ensured a large, if somewhat apprehensive crowd headed to the Arena. Missing Sam Dunford and Ivo Dimitrijevs from their roster, Blackburn were still able to ice three full lines, as were their opponents.
The first period started with the visitors determined to stamp their authority on the game, Sykes in particular adopting a physical style. The first chance of the evening fell to Jake Nurse, but the Hawks forward was unable to clear the puck from between his skates, when in front of Zimozdra in the Sting net. A flurry of minor penalties resulted in the home side having plenty of space on the ice, as they enjoyed a 4-on-3 powerplay, but the nearest they came was when Jon Adams found himself free on the edge of the crease, and he somehow fired wide of the open net. Sutton worked hard to close down the fluent passing of the Blackburn players, and managed to kill off the penalty quite comfortably, but were undone on 10 minutes by an incisive breakout. Nurse took the puck over the defensive blue line, and passed to the right wing, to the supporting Danny Mackriel. He advanced into the Sting zone, and fired a shot which Zimozdra could only deflect into the path of Nurse, and he took his chance, with a clinical finish beneath the keeper. However, the visitors replied in the best possible way, and equalised within a minute, when Jeffcock was allowed to approach the Blackburn net, unchallenged. He had the vision to pick out the waiting Ashton at the far post, and his pass gave him an easy opportunity, which he slotted beyond Danny Brittle in the Hawks goal. Adams almost worked himself an opening on 13 minutes, when his intricate stickwork 'bewildered' three defencemen and the keeper, but he took the puck too wide, and his shot was off target. Then, not to be outdone, Rick Ravey performed his own master class, by 'bulldozing' his way down the boards, evading the best efforts of the entire Sutton line, then battling with two defenders in the corner to regain possession for his team. This brought a rapturous round of applause from the watching crowd as he took his place back on the bench, who were thoroughly appreciative of his efforts. Nurse was in inspirational form, and his next notable contribution was to find the net for a second time, on 16 minutes. David Miekle sent Chris Arnone free on the right, and his pull back fell nicely for the approaching forward, who's accurate finish was too good for Zimozdra.
The second 20 began in quite a lacklustre fashion, with both netminders producing routine saves. Just after the half hour mark, a touch of brilliance by Brittle saw him beat two players on his own blue line, then find Aaron Davies on the right wing. Everyone knew what was coming as he drew back his stick, unleashing a ferocious slapshot into Zimozdra's chest, but the keeper did well to retain possession. A slashing call on the Blackburn goalkeeper, then a couple of co-incidental ones saw the Sting with a man-advantage, but this was quickly cancelled out when Movko received 2 minutes for high-sticks. Neither side could fashion any opportunities, and it looked as though the period would end without any goals being registered, but some inept defending allowed Miekle to seize the puck in the Sutton zone. He found Mackriel in space, and after taking a moment to control the pass, the veteran 'wristed' a shot into the far corner, to give the home side some breathing space, going into the final 20 minutes.
The third period saw the visitors come out with renewed intensity, and 'Dangy' Brittle was called upon several times to deny the Sting forwards, as they looked for a way back into the match. He was ably assisted by some resolute defending from his players, too - none more so than Ollie Lomax, who threw his frame onto the ice to block a blue line slapshot, and received a puck to the body for his trouble. A 'delay of game' penalty against Offord gave the Hawks a powerplay, but the best chance fell to the short-handed team, who robbed Scott Robson in his defensive zone. The forward was just about to gather the loose puck, when Craig Rogers hit him with a solid, but fair check, which had the crowd on their feet, cheering their approval. Adam Brittle was beginning to create lots of space on the ice, and went very close to opening his account for the evening, when he beat 4 men, but saw his shot sail agonisingly over the bar. Whilst Sutton refused to throw in the towel until the very last second, Blackburn were content to play a holding game, based on solid defence and quick counter-attacking, and saw out the remainder of the match in relative comfort.
MVP could have been given to any number of players, but deservedly went to Jake Nurse, who's 2 goals and industry throughout, were a real feature of a competent all-round team display.
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