Warriors outshine Stars for derby win
BUT STEELDOGS BITE HARD
WHITLEY Warriors rounded off a busy weekend with a thumping 5-0 derby victory over Billingham Stars last night.
They travelled down to South Yorkshire on Saturday to face the Sheffield Steeldogs before taking on the Stars on home ice.
Despite the recent severe weather, Warriors were able to take a strong squad down to South Yorkshire on Saturday.
Whitley trailed 2-0 after the first period of play, but they were firmly in the game as they almost equalled their hosts’ shot count in the first 20 minutes of action.
However, Steeldogs were able to add a further five goals over the remainder of the contest and win the match 7-0.
Warriors skipper Dean Holland was named as his side’s man of the match, with Lloyd Gibson being chosen as the home side’s best player.
Warriors welcomed netminder Richie Lawson back into their line-up when Billingham headed to North Tyneside yesterday.
Whitley had the better of the first session of play and led 2-0 at the first intermission thanks to goals from player-coach David Longstaff and Holland.
Jordan Barnes extended the home side’s lead on 27 minutes when he found the back of the net, with 43-year-old Longstaff picking up the assist.
Whitley went on to make it 4-0 midway through the final period of play when Shaun Kippin was able to get the better of former Warrior James Flavell in the visitors’ net.
Blue-liner Harry Harley grabbed a goal with 53 minutes on the clock when the Warriors’ number 24 fired home, with Holland involved in the build-up play.
Whitley ran into a little penalty trouble late on with Josh Maddock and Holland falling foul of the officials.
However, Stars were unable to take advantage of a shortened powerplay opportunity and the game ended as a conclusive 5-0 victory to Warriors.
The Warriors face the Deeside Dragons in an away game on Saturday, before the short trip to Teesside on Sunday to take on Billingham Stars once again.
These two are the Warriors’ last league games of the season, and it is anticipated that Whitley’s playoff campaign is likely to get under way the following weekend when Longstaff and his side look to achieve post-season success.