The North West rivalry was reignited yet again this weekend as the Blackburn Hawks took on the Deeside Dragons in a double-header cup clash. This semi-final match-up between old enemies was kickstarted at the Dragons’ Den where Deeside were hoping to dispel the result last time they faced the Hawks, a 10-2 thrashing at the start of the month.

A sizzling atmosphere welcomed the large contingent of travelling Hawks fans for the first leg on Saturday, with the intensity of the support being reflected in the on-ice action. Dragons’ fans warned that Ross Kennedy, who was missing in the last meeting between the teams, would have a large impact on the series and they were right. Kennedy picked up an interference penalty early in the first period and the Hawks capitalised on this misdemeanour, scoring a powerplay goal that would be converted by Daragh Spawforth. This opening goal spurred on Deeside who fought hard over the next five minutes to pull the game level. Eventually this fell into place as the ever-dangerous Jake Witkowski danced around the Blackburn defence, perfectly slotting through Jakub Hajek for the equaliser. With the atmosphere at the Dragons Den seemingly tipping the balance in favour of the home side, Captain Davies came to the rescue. A hard worked goal started from Luke Watson saw Aaron Davies put the Hawks ahead again. This relentless opening period continued as the Hawks followed up this go-ahead goal by successfully killing a dangerous Deeside powerplay. As the clock ticked down and the coaches finalised their inspiring first intermission instructions, there was one final twist in the tail. With less than five seconds left in the period, fan favourite Hawks defenceman Bobby Streetly fired the puck past Matt Croyle in the Dragons net to make the score 3-1. For the travelling Hawks faithful, this was the perfect punctuation to what had been an exhilarating opening period.

For those who thought the first period was heated, the following twenty minutes would be as hot as Dragon’s breath. Under a minute into the period and Blackburn were reduced to four-men after a James Royds Hooking call. Whilst the Hawks had already staved off one powerplay Dragon assault, this onslaught seemed propelled forward by the Deeside fans themselves, just as the penalty was about to expire, the supporters were rewarded with a goal as their main man from Massachusetts converted past the Hawks’ Scottish shotstopper. With the game in the balance, the next goal would be a huge one that would dictate the direction of the series. As the Dragons appeared to be controlling on home ice, the puck fell to a man who knows said rink like the back of his hand. Former Deeside player and coach Andy McKinney became the difference-maker for Blackburn and managed to register a goal against his past teammates just before the halfway mark. Dejected at seeing their ex-forward score against them (sounds familiar…), the Deeside fans mood went from bad to worse as Adam Barnes struck against them a minute later to make the score at the end of the second period 5-2.

The final period of this first leg saw the Hawks solidify the away win. First came another  Daragh Spawforth strike, notably assisted by Petr Valusiak on his first return back to the Den. Three minutes later and it was Andy McKinney’s turn for a second goal, this time converting off Jacob Lutwyche’s third assist of the game. A desperate Dragons team pushed forward in hopes of reducing their task for the following day however a quick counter from the Hawks was started by Ethan Mayoh and finished in the Dragons goal by Josh Crawley. With the score at 8-1, the final embers of a fiery game started to burn out. The last ten minutes did see a Deeside goal, as Jake Witkowski converted again on the powerplay, however the first chapter of this cup clash was done – the Hawks left Wales as 8-3 victors, ready for the return leg in Lancashire.

In an attempt to surpass the fiery atmosphere in Deeside, many a Hawks fan flocked to The Nest to watch the second instalment of this series. Whilst a good number of Dragons supporters crossed the border and cheered on their side, it was the outstanding support of the home fans which raised the roof off Blackburn Arena.

When the action re-commenced, both teams equalled each other in the early stages of the contest. It would take until the twelfth minute for the deadlock to be broken, when a brilliant backhand feed from James Riddoch found Sam Warnock marauding forward from the blueline, who smashed the puck into the Deeside goal. Three minutes later, and fellow defenceman Ethan Mayoh picked out a nice cross-ice pass to Daragh Spawforth. The young winger comfortably received the puck, composed himself and calmly slotted home the second of the evening for Blackburn. These goals did not deter a hungry Deeside team, the had many a strong chance saved by Ben Keddie. The Dragons thought they had pulled one back after an interception by Witkowski in front of the Hawks net, however after they squandered a sitter, the loose puck was skated up ice by James Royds, saved by Matt Croyle, but eventually scooped up by Ethan Mayoh who fired home the third goal. The frustration was palpable on the Dragons’ scaly faces as sloppy mistakes at both ends had meant the Hawks were now three goals to the good. This frustration boiled over as Garry Simpson lashed out at Bobby Streetly in a corner battle. Ever the showmen, both Simpson and Streetly took their ‘disagreement’ to centre ice as the respective fan favourites had it out like gladiators before a baying crowd. This bare-knuckled altercation all but brought an end to a truly spectacular opening period, however the referees found just enough time within the final ten seconds of the period to award Josh Crawley with a tripping penalty.

With Blackburn starting the second period with only four-men, the first two minutes were vital. The Hawks not only managed to successfully defend the Deeside powerplay, but in a movement that was started by Adam Barnes heroically chasing down an almost iced puck, the forward continued with this hard work, only to be rewarded less than a minute later with a perfect opportunity to smash a slapshot past the ear of Croyle. It was now 4-0 to the Hawks but the home team’s hunger for scoring was not satiated. After another brilliantly defended penalty kill, the Hawks were resurgent against a demoralised Dragons team. A deep-playing Sam Warnock battled tirelessly in the corner to escape with the puck and as he span round and shot just in front of the net, a ‘completely purposeful and planned’ deflection off Matt Wainwright’s stick saw the puck sail high into the sky only to dip just above Matt Croyle’s head for Blackburn’s fifth. Much like the end of the previous period, emotions were boiling over. After an argy-bargy behind the Hawks net caused by Will Harper somehow resulted in Blackburn losing Sam Warnock to the penalty box, Deeside were gifted a golden opportunity to regain a foothold in the game. All credit to the Dragons as they snatched this opportunity well, with Witkowski starting the play behind his own goal leading to a Jakub Hajek tip past Keddie’s extended stick. This powerplay goal was the last serious incident of an equally feisty second period. Blackburn went into the final twenty with a 5-1 lead, however the Dragons came out with fire in their belly, ready to leave it all out on the ice.

This all-or-nothing attitude was apparent from puck drop. The Dragons were relentless in their forecheck, with their forwards snapping and snatching at every opportunity. When Bailey Thomas got the puck caught in his skates, it was former Hawk Jared Dickinson who was ready to steal it away and shoot it in for the Dragons second on the bounce. This setback might have sparked the tiniest flickers of hope for the travelling Deeside fans, however this hope was quickly snuffed out as less than two minutes after Dickinson’s strike, the Hawks hit back with assist-machine Jacob Lutwyche picking up his first goal of the series, redirecting Lee Pollitt’s hopeful punt on net. The minutes ticked down for the final period in this incredibly hard-fought series. Whilst Witkowski managed to pull another one back for the Dragons, but this was all for nought. Post-penalty fisticuffs saw both Luke Watson and Will Harper end the game in the box but the scoreline did not change. The buzzer sounded and Blackburn’s 6-3 win on the night not only secured a 15-6 aggregate victory, but also a place in the Moralee Cup Final.

As I am sure you all know by now, said Final match-up places the Hawks against the currently league leading Billingham Stars, in a rematch of last year’s final. Whilst all eyes may be drawn towards that tantalising clash in hopes of seeing Blackburn recreate last year’s sensational success – the players are taking it one step at a time. This weekend sees the lads endure another double-header weekend, with an away journey out into the Wild and a home fort defence against the Knights.

 

The Blackburn Hawks will play against the Widnes Wild @ Planet Ice Widnes on Saturday 25th January, Face-Off: 7:00pm 

The Blackburn Hawks will also play against Leeds Knights 2 @ Blackburn Arena on Sunday 26th January, Face-Off: 6:00pm

 

Article Courtesy of Nathan Dove

FEATURED IMAGES PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Pollitt and KIPAX