NIHL North week 6 round-up

Solway Sharks moved to the top of NIHL1 North after a pair of wins. On Saturday they welcomed Sheffield Spartans to Dumfries Ice Bowl, but fell behind to Joe Millard’s 7th minute strike. Struan Tonnar levelled things up soon after, before Nathan Salem put Sharks ahead midway through the game. Solway outshot their visitors 20-7 in the third, but found netminder Andy Bagshaw in inspired form and they had to settle for a 2-1 scoreline.
The following evening Sharks travelled to Hillheads to face Whitley Warriors. The first period was marred by an injury to Sharks’ defenseman Aaron Greger, who was attended by paramedics after a big hit. The game restarted after a 30 minute delay and Dean Holland put Warriors in front. Salem made it 1-1 early in the second before Reynolds and Steven Moore put Sharks firmly in control by the halfway mark. Jamie Tinsley made it 3-2 in the 43rd minute, but Calum Henderson secured the win with nine minutes left. A Sharks’ spokesman confirmed Greger travelled back with the team after hospital treatment, with x-rays showing nothing broken.
Sutton Sting have made a steady start to life in NIHL1 and put two more points on the board with a couple of draws. They recovered from two behind at Coventry Blaze to draw 5-5 and followed up with a 3-3 draw at home to Billingham Stars. Michael Bowman gave Stars an early lead, but Neil Hardy and James Goodman put Sting in front by the end of the first. After a scoreless middle period Stephen Wallace tied things up again, before Jamie Spurr put Sting back in front. Stars fought back well and Jamie Pattison sealed a point with the equaliser two minutes from time.
Trafford Metros lost for the seventh time in a row – 2-1 at home to Blackburn Hawks. Jake Nurse capitalised on an error by Jared Owen to give Metros the lead, but Ollie Lomax tied things up by the end of the first. Myles Dacres put Hawks in front early in the second and despite Metros’ late pressure, the visitors held on to secure their third win of the season over their hosts.
Hawks gave a debut to new Latvian import Ivo Dimitrijevs and Owen was pleased with his performance, “It was a difficult situation because we didn’t know until Saturday afternoon whether he could play, so I was just glad to get him out there” said Owen. “He’s a different player to Sami (Narkia) because he plays more inside the blueline. He’s got great hands and a great shot and as the weeks go by I expect he’ll get comfortable with us.”

Solihull Barons are up to second in NIHL2 North after a dominant display at home to Deeside Dragons. Erik Bakalar and Richie Slater put Barons ahead in the first, but had to wait until the 41st minute to extend their lead – Jake Larkin making it 3-0. Rob Eley and Larkin again put the game beyond Dragons’ reach, though they did manage two late consolation goals through Brian Worrall and Ben Simister.
Fylde Flyers came from behind to beat Hull Stingrays 4-3 at Cleveleys Ice Rink. Andy Clark put Flyers ahead before Chris Hogarth levelled for Hull. Clark made it 2-1 but Chris Westcott and Aaron Dad put the visitors ahead for the first time. Bobby Caunce brought Flyers level and Clark completed his hat-trick to seal the win.
Next weekend sees Billingham face Whitley while Deeside host Blackburn Eagles.

 

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