Renegades rise to the challenge to defeat Conference’s starlets

JUNIOR ICE HOCKEY

WHITLEY Renegades played host to the Northern Conference under-17 squad in a challenge match at Hillheads.

The Renegades were without Ben Gill, Steve McGuckin, Robert Mitchell and leading scorer Craig Johnson.

Alex Nergaard, Kieron Downs and Jack Wakefield were also unavailable as they were part of the Northern Conference under-17 squad.

In the opening period the Renegades had the better of the early chances to take the lead but found Harrison Walker in the Conference net equal to them.

However, the hosts did take the lead on the powerplay at 14.52 following good work by captain Niall Ryder (pictured left) who fed the puck through to Lewis Crisp to fire past Walker.

The under-17s had Bay coach Adam Reynolds running their bench and he guided his side to a much better performance in the middle session.

The home side had chances to increase their lead but the next goal went the way of the Conference as Billingham’s James Hellens fired home the equaliser at 28.22.

For the start of the final period Conference changed netminders, Jack Wakefield replacing Walker.

A little over two minutes had elapsed at the start of the final period when Renegades restored their lead.

It was a similar goal to the first, Ryder offering the assist on Crisp’s second counter of the game.

Netminder Thomas Brown made some outstanding saves to keep Whitley ahead before, with a little over half of the final period still to go, the match was halted as time had elapsed to complete the game.

It was a worthwhile exercise for both camps as the Renegades continue their season in search of an Under-20 League title - and possibly a chance of the national title later this season.

For the Conference squad it was a useful run-out as they prepare for the Junior Conference Tournament at Sheffield at the end of May.

The Renegades, second in the league, travel to leaders Coventry Blaze on Sunday (face-off 7.30).