BARONS BEATEN ON HISTORIC NIGHT FOR HAWKS.
After a disappointing home debut last week, the Blackburn Hawks were determined to secure their first league win at The Nest. This time, they faced a tough challenge as the unbeaten Solihull Barons travelled north for a highly anticipated League and Cup showdown in Blackburn
A fired-up home crowd was eager for the action to begin, but before the game got underway, there was time for a special pre-game ceremony. Blackburn Captain Aaron Davies was presented with a signed jersey from Hawks Owner Graham Lomax in recognition of his 500th game for the club. Both sets of players joined the rapturous applause of the crowd as Davies’ impressive accolades were recalled by the announcer: Most Appearances, Most Points, Most Goals and Most Assists for a man who has given his all for the Hawks in his 21-year career. Whilst Hawks fans are all too aware of how important the captain has been for the club over the years, Coach Osman highlighted how ‘Davies is a leader. That’s what he does. Over the last three years I’ve spoken to him about changes to the team that he might not like but I needed him in other areas. When you have a player that buys in to your vision, especially leaders like Davies, playing a different type of game – that’s exactly what you need. My hats off to him, he’s our Yzerman and he’s doing exactly what he needs for this club’.
After the conclusion of this touching tribute, it was time for a hard-fought contest between the Hawks and Barons. Continuing Blackburn’s impressive streak of early goals, the game was only 2 minutes old before a long-range effort from Devids Jurinenoks flew past the Barons goalie. Whilst this is the Latvian’s first goal of the season, it is testament to how well he’s settling into his new role as a dangerous two-way defenceman. The goals continued to rain down in Blackburn as in-form forward Jacob Lutwyche danced around Solihull’s defence and buried his 7th of the season in the top corner. The first period ended with Blackburn two goals ahead of a struggling Solihull team, with the situation only becoming bleaker for the Barons in the second period. Two consecutive goals at the start of this period by Barnes and Pollitt doubled Blackburn’s lead, with the Hawks ruthless offence seeking to calm any fears of Solihull recreating Nottingham’s late game resurgence from the week before. However, the travelling Barons team weren’t leaving Lancashire without putting up a fight. The third period saw their impressive topline of Mulcahy, Ottoson and (the other) Mulcahy register a goal each, dragging Solihull to within a goal of levelling the game. Hawks fans watched on with baited breath as the nervy final minutes ticked away, only for Blackburn’s points leader James Riddoch to kill the game with a goal 2 minutes from time.
The Hawks Nest erupted at the ringing of the final buzzer, with Blackburn getting their first home win of the season. Describing the feeling from the bench, Coach Osman explained how ‘It was a good crowd tonight, the atmosphere was great. Solihull fought back, but as I said to the guys before the game, good teams find a way to win, and we are becoming that team who have to figure out how to close a game out’. Whilst Solihull’s topline spurred on an attempted comeback, Blackburn’s scoring was nicely spread throughout the team. Coach Osman notes how ‘Its always a good thing to have all your lines firing, I think that Watson-Davies-Spawforth line are playing outstanding right now with Sam [Warnock] and [Ethan] Mayoh on the back – It’s brought a depth to us that’s hard for other teams to handle. To be able to close a game out with that firepower is good to know.’
After securing their first home-ice success of the season, Blackburn look ahead to a rematch against the team who snatched victory from them at their first attempt. An away trip down to Nottingham sees the Hawks looking to continue their impressive unbeaten record on the road…
The Blackburn Hawks will play against the Nottingham Lions @ Motorpoint Arena on Saturday 5th October, Face-Off: 6:30pm
Article Courtesy of Nathan Dove
FEATURED IMAGES PHOTO CREDITS: LUKE RILEY AND TONY KIPAX