NIHL North round-up week two

Billingham Stars began the defence of the NIHL1 North title with a comfortable 6-0 win over Sheffield Spartans. Mikey Elder & Richie Thornton put Stars in control in the first five minutes and Elder's short handed effort early in the second extended the lead to three. Anthony Price made it 4-0 after 23 minutes, before a brace from Stephen Wallace sealed an impressive start for the reigning champions.

Blackburn Hawks took four points from their weekend derby double-header against Trafford Metros. Goals from Matt Viney, Jordan Bannon, Ric Ravey & Chris Arnone helped Hawks to a 4-3 win at Altrincham on Saturday and they repeated scoreline the following evening on home ice - Dan MacKriel (2), Bobby Streetly & Sam Dunford got the goals.

Blackburn Hawks' Jordan Bannon (photo by Steve McKelvey)

Coventry Blaze and Whitley Warriors played out a 2-2 draw at the Skydome Arena. Rhys Gillat put Blaze in front in the 8th minute but Callum Watson equalised soon after. Josh Nicklin's 24th minute effort put Blaze back in front, before DJ Good tied things up late in the second. Richie Lawson was the busier netminder in the third as Blaze pushed for the win, but Warriors held firm to claim a point.

The big two met in NIHL2 with Deeside Dragons hosting Solihull Barons. Chris Allen gave Barons an early lead, but Brian Worrall and Shaun Kippin put Dragons 2-1 ahead midway through the first. Rob Perks and Mike Rodgers restored Barons' lead, but Steve Fellows levelled to make it 3-3 at the end of the first.

Aaron Davies put the home team in front early in the second, before Charlie Hammerton made it 4-4 in the 45th minute. With just six minutes remaining two quickfire goals from Davies and Simon Furnival sealed the win for Deeside. The only other Division Two game saw Hull Stingrays win 3-1 at Blackburn Eagles.

Solway Sharks warmed up for their first tilt at NIHL1 with an impressive showing against the EPL's Peterborough Phantoms. Mark Gallagher's hat-trick helped Sharks to a 6-6 draw on home ice, but goals from Luke and James Ferrara gave Phantoms a 2-1 win in the return. Sharks kick-off their campaign this weekend with a home league game against Trafford on Saturday, followed by a trip to face the Hawks in the Northern Cup on Sunday.

 

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