After Nottingham snatched a win from Blackburn in their first clash of the season, the Hawks ventured down to the city of Robin Hood determined to reclaim back all 3 points. Blackburn have remained unbeaten since their defeat to the Lions in the home opener and looked to extend this run with victory in the Midlands.

The Hawks’ travelling fans were out in full force at the Motorpoint Arena, with Rink Announcer Aiden Wignall highlighting how Blackburn’s supporters ‘outnumbered the home crowd and were notably louder’. This energy translated into an immediate impact on the ice, as Blackburn’s targetman Jacob Lutwyche opened the scoring just under 5 minutes into the game. Whilst Lutwyche extended his account for the season to 8 goals, 10 minutes later defenceman Bobby Streetly opened his. Streetly’s first goal of the season doubled Blackburn’s lead going into the first intermission. It was clear that the visiting side’s early pressure was paying off, and Nottingham struggled to contain their relentless attack.

The resumption of action saw a scoreless second period, with neither team being able to find the back of the net despite registering their highest shot totals of the game. Both goalies were in top form, turning the middle period into a goaltender duel. The ‘King of Kirkcaldy’ himself, Ben Keddie, was described as a ‘brick wall with nothing able to get past him’ by Aiden Wignall. Hawks fan Joanna Richardson describes a moment where the Scottish shot stopper ‘blocked a certain goal whilst his pad straps was wrapped around his skates’.

The heroics of both keepers resulted in an unchanged scoreline going into the third. It was the young Hawks who converted to finish off the game with both Daragh Spawforth and Josh Crawley converting to secure a 4-0 victory. With four different scorers (Both Streetly and Crawley netting for the first time this season), this game again highlighted the goalscoring depth of this Hawks team. Forward Lee Pollitt commended this, stating that ‘it takes pressure off the other lines when everyone in the team is scoring like that. With the amount of talent we’ve got together as a team, it was bound to happen. Its massively important in those grittier games, having the likes of Josh [Crawley] and Daragh [Spawforth] scoring, it makes a massive difference’.

The Hawks’ 4-0 victory was a true team effort. Aiden Wignall singled out youngsters Matt Cross, Daragh Spawforth, and Liam Hine for their standout performances. ‘Matt had a great game again. There were few times I remember a Lions player actually getting past him. It was also his hit and pass to Daragh to assist the third goal. Daragh and Liam came of age and showed great skills and awareness’. However, the man of the moment was undoubtedly Ben Keddie. The young goalie delivered a stunning 37-save display, earning his first shutout of the season. Pollitt was full of praise: ‘He’s been solid for us so far, and I think we’ve let him down a little at times. He was massive for us in Nottingham’.

After mauling the Lions in Nottingham, the Hawks must return back to Wales and face-off against a Dragons team they have already slain in Deeside. Whilst the expectations for victory are high, given Blackburn’s 7-goal thrashing of Deeside in Gameweek 2, Pollitt declares an unchanged mindset: ‘It’s the same as every game. Nothing changes for us. We want to get into every game and dictate the action. It’s exactly the same as last time’…

The Blackburn Hawks will play against the Deeside Dragons @ Deeside Ice Arena on Sunday 13th October, Face-Off: 5:15pm

Article Courtesy of Nathan Dove

FEATURED IMAGES PHOTO CREDITS: LUKE RILEY