The Hawks 'play-off' credentials faced a stern test on Saturday evening, as they took on the Whitley Warriors at the Arena. With the home side still smarting from an improbable defeat against the visitors over a month ago, revenge was in their minds, and they took to the ice with the sole intention of claiming the two League points. Both teams were able to ice three lines, with the only absentee from the Blackburn roster being the 'free-scoring' forward, Danny Mackriel.
As usual, the Hawks looked to press straight from the opening face-off, with Matt Viney the first player to test Ritchie Lawson in the Warriors net. After 4 minutes, Reece Cairney-Witter was forced to take a tripping call, as he halted Adam Reynolds, when the forward threatened to break through the Blackburn defence. The man-advantage allowed the visitors to gain a foothold in the match, although their only opportunity to score was a shot from M.Good, which Danny 'Dangy' Brittle, the Hawks net-minder, dealt with comfortably. The Whitley side, who have always had a physical aspect to their play, did not disappoint once again, with Jamie Tinsley the main instigator. However, the home side kept their composure, refusing to be drawn into anything unnecessary, despite his best attempts. A breath-taking solo dribble by John Adams saw him beat 3 players, before finding himself one-on-one with Lawson, but the Canadian's flick towards the roof of the net went narrowly over the crossbar. However, the crowd had barely retaken their seats, when they were up again, saluting the opening goal of the evening. Chris Arnone breached the Whitley defence, and laid the puck off to Jared Owen. He, in turn gave possession to Adam Brittle, and from a yard out, he dispatched his shot into the unguarded net. A minute later, and with Craig Rogers sitting out a holding penalty, the Warriors were desperately unlucky not to get back on level terms. After a mad scramble, and with the goal gaping, the visiting forward seemed certain to poke the puck over the goal-line, but Scott Robson somehow got his stick to it first, and scooped it away to safety. The defenceman then went on one of his trademark 'carries' down the ice, but was unceremoniously upended by two Whitley players, although the referee refused to call a penalty. With Tinsley receiving an interference call, the Hawks encamped themselves in the Whitley zone for the majority of the powerplay, yet had their captain to thank for keeping them ahead. The visitors broke away on the left, and as the puck was played across the face of goal, Arnone dived full-length to re-direct it away from the waiting stick of Good. As the clock approached the 20 minute mark, Dangy was called upon to produce two classy saves within seconds of each other - firstly a 'glove' save, then an instinctive 'kick' save, from a shot through traffic.
The 2nd period began with the Hawks reduced to 4 men, as both Owen and Arnone sat out penalties, for hooking and mis-conduct, respectively. The defensive unit managed to fragment play, however, continually turning the visitors on their heels. A crunching 'check from behind' by Reece Cairney-Witter earned him a spell in the penalty box, and it was during the penalty that Blackburn doubled their lead. A burst of speed by Adam Brittle saw the forward race clear from centre-ice, and as he crossed the blue line, he moved to his left before hitting a rasping wrist-shot into the far corner. Concerted pressure from the home side saw chances being created at regular intervals, but the Whitley net was leading a 'charmed life', with Rick Hughes unfortunate not to convert one of several 'tip-in' opportunities. However, it was far from one-way traffic, as the Warriors looked dangerous on the break. On one such occasion, David Meikle lost possession of the puck in his own zone, and had Dangy to thank when he came to his rescue, to deny Wilson. The game then became rather scrappy, with chances at a premium, and the Hawks went to the break holding a 2-goal lead.
Within a minute of the restart, Blackburn extended their advantage, courtesy of some sublime passing. Chris Butler did well in his own zone, and found Meikle on his own blue line. He showed great awareness to provide a pin-point, defence-splitting pass, straight onto the stick of Sam Dunford, and the speedy forward raced towards goal, before slipping the puck under Lawson's pads. The crowd were creating a tremendous atmosphere, ably lead by Russ, who was 'beating out the rhythms' from the balcony. With 10 minutes remaining, any lingering hopes Whitley had of a comeback were extinguished by Jon Adams, who scored the fourth goal of the night. He was in support of Brittle, who broke down the left wing, and although the pass was slightly behind him, he was still able to fire a powerful slapshot just inside the post. Brittle, Owen, and Miekle all had chances to heap further misery on the visitors, but failed to find the back of the net. Tinsley provided the Hawks with another powerplay, when he smashed Robson onto the boards, and received a 'boarding' call. This gave the home side the opportunity to move the puck around the offensive zone with some slick passing, but although they dragged the defenders out of position, they couldn't fashion any goalscoring chances. With only 2 minutes remaining, the Whitley Coach, Simon Leach, withdrew his keeper, in a final attempt to break Dangy's 'shut-out', and he was further aided by a slashing call on Robson, giving the visitors a 6-on-4 advantage. However, a combination of resolute defending and stunning netminding kept the goal intact, and it was Adams who had the final say, when he took a pass from Brittle in centre-ice. The Canadian coolly controlled the puck, looked up, and with 3 Warriors closing-in on him, shot unerringly into the open net. This completed a great evening of hockey, and capped a fine display by the Hawks, who fully deserved their comprehensive victory.
Unsurprisingly, the MVP award went to Danny Brittle, for his awesome display between the pipes.
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