It’s honours even for unpredictable Hawks (From Lancashire Telegraph)

It’s honours even for unpredictable Hawks

2:00pm Wednesday 2nd November 2011 in Ice Hockey

IT was honours even between Blackburn Hawks and Whitley Warriors, with home advantage proving pivotal in both English National Ice Hockey League encounters.

Hawks secured a 4-1 win at the Blackburn Arena on Saturday night thanks to a brace from man of the match Jordan Bannon.

But Whitley enacted their revenge just 24 hours later, winning 4-2 in the North East.

Team manager Graham Lomax said: “We played very well on Saturday to beat a strong Whitley team 4-1.

“After a goalless first period, we scored four unanswered goals, before they pulled one back late on.

“It was another physical encounter, but we stood up to it, which was pleasing to see, because the physical side of our game is something we’ve needed to work on.

“It’s always tough at Whitley, because it’s a very difficult place to go. It’s a very intimidating environment and the ice was shocking.

“We actually held a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period, through Sean Day, but they scored three quick goals and we ended up chasing the game.

“The local paper up there had written an article saying ‘I wonder which Blackburn Hawks side is going to turn up’ and that sums us up.

“It is very much a work in progress. We have been chopping and changing the lines and we might introduce some new faces to the squad.”