Match Report – Moralee Playoff Grand Final | NIHL Steel City Showdown

The Stars defeat the reigning playoff champs to complete the treble!

 

PERIOD ONE (3-2)

The Billingham Stars score in the opening minutes to give themselves a one-goal lead. Michael Elder passed it across the front of the crease to Ian Brown, who put it over the pad of Ben Keddie.

The Hawks got the equaliser a few minutes later. Hammond made the initial save, but Andy McKinney managed to slot the puck past him.

However, the Stars answered quickly with a goal through Connor McNulty, assisted 7, Ben Greenhalgh, to regain their one-goal lead.

The Stars doubled their lead through James Moss when he found a gap in the top left corner. Assisted by number 26, Roland Gritans. 

As the Hawks come off the powerplay, Adam Barnes finds the top right corner on an unassisted goal, to reduce the deficit to one. 

 

PERIOD TWO (5-2)

The Stars started the period with a power play, which then turned into a 5-on-3. Despite killing the initial penalty, they used the momentum and scored through James Hellens as one player returned to the ice.

The Stars then quickly built on their lead again, as Roland Gritans found the back of the net to get his second point of the night. 

The Hawks thought they scored towards the end of the period, however, it was called off as the net was off its pegs.

 

PERIOD THREE (6-3)

While there was no change in score, the Hawks threw everything they could at the Stars, trying to bring the score level.

Callum Wilkinson scored on a 5-on-3 power play to make it 6-2.

Barnes scored a short-handed goal through the five-hole of Keddle to reduce the deficit to 3 again. However, it was too late for the Hawks as the Stars took the final trophy of the Moralee Division home.

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