Viney hat-trick too little for Blackburn Hawks (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Viney hat-trick too little for Blackburn Hawks

10:01am Thursday 10th November 2011 in Ice Hockey

MATT Viney scored a superb hat-trick, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Blackburn Hawks from slipping to a 7-4 defeat away to Billingham Stars in the Northern Cup.

Hawks more than matched the north east outfit in the first period, twice coming from behind to level the scores at the interval thanks to goals from Viney and Sean Day.

However, the hosts took control in the second period with three unanswered goals against a short-benched but spirited Hawks side.

Billingham extended their lead to 7-2 early in the third, before Hawks capitalised on their opponents’ ill-discipline to pull two goals back late on, with Viney completing his hat-trick.

Despite the defeat, team manager Graham Lomax insisted there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.

“We had a bit of a disaster going up there, as four pairs of skates were left behind, including those of first-choice netminder Danny Brittle,” he said.

“However, it was an ideal opportunity to put Stuart Ashton in.

“He’s still new to the group, he’s young and he’s filled in for us a few times during the latter stages of games already this season and done very well.

“He got the nod to start and it was a true baptism of fire for him, but he didn’t let us down.

“Far from it in fact, he was absolutely fantastic and will have learnt a lot.

“We were very short on bodies going up there, due to illness, injury and absentees.

“So we only had two-and-a-half lines, but we competed very well and everyone gave 110 per cent.

“We did tire a bit as the game went on, but the main difference in the end was the depth of their squad.

“It’s a difficult place to go and it’s difficult to be critical of our performance.

“I never like to single anyone out, but I thought Matt Viney was absolutely outstanding.

“He worked his socks off and was rewarded with three goals.”