Additional Comments:

Things really kicked off at 17:45 into this game, with a multiple of penalties dished out. The Lions came off lightly as Eddie Joseph received 2-mins for Interference, but the Barons had P Smith sent off with 2-mins for Interference plus 5-mins for Roughing as well as J Meagher with 2-mins for Unsportsmanlike Conduct plus 10-mins for Arguing (so it says in the following week’s programme!).

These penalties allowed Jari Virta, assisted by Janne Lehti, to score the Lions’ 3rd and 4th goals as Power Plays at 19:06 and 20:42.

Lions shooting against D Graham had 17+8+10 SOG, total of 35. Barons shooting against Vesa Pennanen had 13+15+17 SOG, total of 45.

Two days after this match the Lions went to Belfast to take part in an exhibition match to open the new Castlereagh rink. Unfortunately Erskine Douglas slipped on the brand new ice, just 5 minutes into the game, and slid into the boards. One of his legs was twisted upwards and he was found to have broken his tibia. This meant he’d be out of the game for a minimum of 12 weeks, up until Christmas 1986. Not only was Erskine a valuable second-line defenceman but he was also coaching Lee Valley’s Junior team, the Sharks, as well as the Wizard Pee-Wees.

Match officials were Johnston, Whelan and Moore.

In the match programme of 27/9/86 Mike Grafton had this to say about the game:

“What a disappointment last week’s game was. It was the “same old story” – why does this happen against Solihull and no-one else? It’s a question which Richie Doran has been asking the players all week, you can be sure of that.

“The game, however, produced another plus mark for hockey, some excellent play, good tough checks and a ‘hockey fight’ thrown in for good measure. I don’t agree with fighting, but it brings the crowds in, as they say in the States!

“I was talking to one Lions fan last week who said she was amazed at the dynamic duo of Forslund and Schnurr. NOT at their undoubted skill and scoring prowess, but at how gentlemanly they were on the ice. It’s quite strange, but you just don’t notice this rare occurrence – an import (or two) being a good, clean hockey player. Messrs Kirk, Ramsay etc have a lot to learn from these two.”