Hughes blasts hat-trick as Blackburn Hawks enjoy first win (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hughes blasts hat-trick as Blackburn Hawks enjoy first win

9:56am Thursday 15th September 2011 in Ice Hockey

Blackburn Hawks got their English National Ice-Hockey League campaign up and running with a stunning 7-1 win at home to Solihull Barons.

Ric Hughes scored a hat-trick, as the town team bounced back from last weekend’s opening day defeat to Billingham Stars.

As the first period got underway, Hawks were determined to take the game to the newly-promoted Barons and were quickly on the offensive.

The opening goal arrived on five minutes when Sam Dunford found free-scoring defenceman Chris Arnone, who picked his spot with a rasping slap-shot across the keeper.

Arnone then turned provider, forcing a fine save from Sam Hewitt, with Hughes on hand to fire home the rebound from an acute angle.

The third goal arrived on 17 minutes, when the impressive Jordan Bannon took the puck into the opposing zone, before picked out Hughes for his second.

The second period followed in a similar vein to the first, with Hawks very much in the ascendancy.

On 28 minutes, Arnone split the Baron’s defence with a pin point pass to Bannon and although his shot was saved, Hughes was again on hand to complete his hat-trick with a deft flick into the roof of the net.

Hawks were in the mood for more goals, with Brian Worrall and Chad Briggs both going close, before Bannon kept his cool to beat Hewitt with a precise finish on 37 minutes.

Danny Brittle had to be at his best to keep the Barons out at the other end, before Matt Viney saw his industry rewarded, forcing a rebound over the line for goal number six.

The euphoria had barely begun to subside when Solihull did finally beat Brittle with a fierce slap-shot.

The final 20 minutes saw the Hawks attacking almost at will, with their passing moves and interplay having the visiting defence working overtime.

On 45 minutes, Viney scored the final goal of the game, sliding the puck under the sprawling Hewitt.

Hawks took their foot off the gas in the closing stages, happy to have registered their first win of the season in impressive style.