Director of coaching Terry Ward feels the play-off picture is bright for Billingham Stars even though their first game of a challenge match double header against Whitley Warriors ended in a 7-5 defeat
Director of coaching Terry Ward feels the play-off picture is bright for Billingham Stars even though their first game of a challenge match double header against Whitley Warriors ended in a 7-5 defeat.
The games have been arranged to keep both sides fit and match-ready for their upcoming play-off fixtures against Solway and Blackburn.
And Ward reckons Billingham have plenty to shout about ahead of the post-season and return clash against Whitley at Billingham Forum on Saturday after recovering from a disastrous four-goal, first period deficit to make things interesting.
Although he admits the Stars have to cut out the mistakes which saw them have a poor start and finish to the game, he was pleased with the Teessiders’ grit and determination and thinks both North-east rivals can do well in the April 12-13 play-off weekend.
Billingham travelled without some key players to minimise the risk of aggravating niggling injuries.
Both senior netminders were unavailable for the match, so the Stars iced Whitley third choice keeper Joe Harley to start the game.
Ward said: “We started off really poorly and gave some crazy goals away.
“In the first period we were absolutely dreadful and had a few choice words in the dressing room after it.
“We came out for the second all fired up and came right back into the game, which shows the character in the team.
“In the last few minutes we made a couple of dreadful mistakes to allow the two goals to go in that cost us the game.
“We’ve got to learn from that, but I think both teams can be positive ahead of the play-offs.
“It gives us both confidence that we can go to the play-offs and give Blackburn and Solway good games, if not take them.”
The Warriors took less than a minute to get off the mark with top scorer Adam Reynolds putting them in front.
With just over five minutes gone, Harry Harley finished a flowing move to put the puck past his older brother Joe and double the score.
The Stars looked ponderous, and Harley grabbed his second when he tapped in a Rob Wilson shot that had rebounded off the back boards for 3-0 after 13 minutes.
Whitley’s first period dominance was complete when Daniel Murdy was allowed space to pick his spot to send the Stars into the dressing room 4-0 down.
The Stars made a netminder change at the start of the second session, Warriors back-up goaltender Mark Turnbull replacing Harley.
The period looked to be heading the same way as the first when Reynolds again scored with less than a minute gone.
But Stephen Wallace got the Stars on their way with a goal on the power play and he added a second when he slid the puck through Whitley netminder Richie Lawson’s pads.
James McCabe narrowed the gap further still with an effort three minutes later.
And with just 12 seconds left in the second session, Anthony Price made it a one-goal game when he blasted home to make it 5-4.
Billingham drew level in the 46th minute when Michael Bowman capitalised on a tripping call against Warriors’ Dan Harris.
Lawson had to make several saves before Murdy eventually put the home side back in front in the 52nd minute. A defensive error allowed Harley to grab his hat-trick and Whitley’s seventh.
The return challenge match faces off at 6.30pm at Billingham Forum on Saturday. Ticket prices are reduced to £4 adults and £3 concessions.
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