Sunderland Arrows completed their English Under-16 North promotion/relegation play-offs with a 3-2 victory away at Blackburn Eagles.
Having already secured promotion last week, Arrows required only a point to take top slot. A close opening period brought no goals and it was not until 23.33 that Sunderland went ahead through Chris Hayes. Five minutes later the lead was increased with a goal from Dean Holland.
There was only nine second left in the middle period when Blackburn opened their account. Eagles kept plugging away and they drew level six minutes into the final period.
Sunderland edged victory when Shane Hewitt netted the winner with a little under two minutes remaining.
Sunderland now return to North A League after a season in the B league where they finished runners-up, a point behind Sheffield Greyhounds.
Blackburn face Sheffield twice in the next two weeks to see who joins Sunderland in the A League.
Arrows: Dean Holland 1+1, Chris Hayes, Shane Hewitt 1+0.
Sunderland Arrows' season is not quite over as they are entered in tournaments at Peterborough and Telford in the next few weeks.
Whitley Bay Arrows have retained their place in the English Under-12 North A League following a 6-3 win over Flintshire Flyer at Hillheads. Arrows had already won 4-2 at Flintshire a week ago in the promotion/relegation play-offs and a win on home ice would see them keeping their place in the top division.
Callum Watson had a hand in all of Whitley's goals on Sunday and he put his side ahead at 04.59 on the powerplay. Flyers tied the scores five minutes later for a 1-1 first period. Arrows captain Bobby Mole restored his side's lead with a brace in four minutes by 24.18.
Watson was on target with three goals in five minutes as Whitley's advantage was extended to 6-1. The visitors made the score a little more respectable with two late goals.
Telford Terrahawks entertained Whitley the previous day and also secured promotion following a 10-4 win. The scoreline did not show a true reflection as the post denied Bobby Mole three times and their netminder made some good stops. Watson gave Arrows the lead at 01.40, but within two minutes Telford had gone 3-1 ahead. Mole hit a second before Telford hit four unanswered to go 7-2 ahead after two periods.
Liam Brown netted his second in the first minute of the final period and Telford reached double figures with three goals in seven minutes. Watson completed the scoring with a last second goal.
Arrows (v Flintshire): Callum Watson 4+2, Bobby Mole 2+1, Paul Husband, Stephen Bennett, Alexander Simon 0+1.
(v Telford): Watson 2+1, Mole 1+1, Liam Brown 1+0, Jack Goddard, Bennett and Simon 0+1.
Sunderland Cherokees were involved in two challenge matches against Sheffield Lasers and Telford Terrahawks. Sheffield Under-12 national champions played their top lines from the season while Cherokees gave ample opportunity for next season's players to gain much experience.
Lasers led 11-0 before Nathan Salem opened Cherokees' account at 39.54. Grant Sharp and Jack Watkins increased the total to three before Sheffield scored a 12th.
Cherokees visited Telford and came away 5-3 winners. Telford led by a second minute goal only for a Sharp hat-trick put Sunderland 3-1 ahead after two periods.
The goals were shared in the final session with Telford then Sunderland replying. Callum Davies scored twice for Cherokees.
Cherokees (v Sheffield): Nathan Salem, Grant Sharp, Jack Watkins 1+0, Callum Davies 0+2.
(v Telford): Sharp 3+0, Davies 2+0, Joshua Lalande, Daniel Coffeey 0+2, Alex Lawson, Michael Elder 0+1.
Whitley Tomahawks were at the Lynn Pollock Cup at the Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock, where they finished sixth of eight teams in the annual tournament.
Tomahawks were drawn in a group with Kilmarnock Devils, IFK Osteraker (Sweden) and Club Chiasso (Switzerland). Chiasso were Whitley first opponents and won 5-1, Jamie Tinsley scored a lone reply. Andrew Wood received a five plus game misconduct for a check from behind.
Swedish side Osteraker also won 5-1 and Andrew Wile, Tomahawks' scorer put them ahead in 29 seconds.
The final group game on the first day was against Kilmarnock which the Scottish side won 2-1. Sam Zajac on target for Whitley and Wood getting another five plus game misconduct for roughing.
A play-off match was Whitley's opening game on day two. Scottish Under-16 league winners Paisley tomahawks went 2-0 ahead before Whitley scored four times in six minutes due to braces from andrew Wile and Peter Zajac gave them a 4-2 victory.
Fifth/sixth play-off game brought Whitley and Kilmarnock together which the Scottish side won 2-0.
Chiasso won the competition with a 2-1 victory over Murrayfield Racoons.
Tomahawks: Andrew Wile 3+0, Peter Zajac 2+1, Jamie Tinsley, Sam Zajac 1+1, David Graham, Peter Shreeve, Gareth Hughes 0+1.
This weekend Sunderland Scorpions travel to Hull ice arena for the women's championship play-offs. League runners-up Scorpions meet third place Guildford Lightning in tomorrow's semi-finals. The other semi sees league winners Cardiff Comets tackle Sheffield Shadows. Third/fourth place and final take place on Sunday.
Sunderland Tomahawks face two Under-19 North promotion/relegation play-off matches this weekend. Tomorrow at Solihull Knights and Sunday visit Telford Trojans. A win by Sunderland over Solihull will guarantee Sunderland a North A League slot for next season saving them from relegation.
Sunderland Commanches are in Edinburgh Capital cup Under-14 tournament tomorrow and Whitley Arrows are competing in the U12 event.
Whitley Mohawks are at Bracknell Under-14 tournament over three days this weekend.
Billingham ice hockey club are holding their annual presentation night tonight (Fri) at Smith Jacques Dance Studio, Billingham, starting at 7.30pm.
Sunderland ice hockey club's presentation is being held at Roker Hotel, Sunderland, on Friday, May 30, 7pm to late.
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