Warriors run out of steam in Manchester
On Saturday 30th May 2026 the Warriors sent a mixed ability team over the Pennines to take on the Manchester Steamers in a challenge game at Altrincham Ice Rink.
This was a Warriors team made up primarily of Warriors² and Warriors³ players. The only Warriors¹ player to dress was defence-man Jake Wagner.
There were familiar faces on both sides of the ice. Former Warriors defence-man Thomas “Paddy” Horner lined up for the Steamers against his old club for the first time, while Warriors netminder Ben Briggs found himself facing team mates from another team he regularly represents, highlighting the strong connections between the two clubs.
Dressed players
Ben Briggs (NM), Howard Barwick (C), Phil Pearce, Simon Davis, Jonjo Marshall, Jake Wagner, Stewart Nelson, Jamie Thurston, Zach Huntley, Corey Clough-Howard, James Way, Mo Lin, Charlie Tang, Tim Lyndon-Belt, Jake Crabtree, Gareth Lumley, Simon Howe, Dexter Duffy-Howard, Simon Davis, Chris Hamilton.
1st period
The opening period was closely contested, with both teams settling into the game and creating opportunities.
The Steamers received the first penalty of the game at 10:35, handing the Warriors an early power-play opportunity. However, it was Manchester who struck first.
At 12:11, the Steamers scored short-handed to take a 1–0 lead.
The Warriors responded well and found a deserved equaliser at 14:12, when Jonjo Marshall finished from a pass by Jake Crabtree. It was a memorable moment for Crabtree, who was playing just his second ever game for the Warriors and recorded his first assist for the club.
The Steamers regained the lead late in the period with a goal at 19:25, taking a 2–1 advantage into the first break.
Steamers 1-2 Warriors
2nd period
The middle period proved to be the most entertaining of the game, with six goals shared between the sides.
Warriors got off to the perfect start when Chris Hamilton levelled the game at 24:23, assisted by Captain Howard Barwick. 2-2.
Unfortunately, the parity lasted only seconds as the Steamers responded at 24:46 to restore their lead before extending it further at 26:28.
It was now 4-2 to the Steamers.
The Warriors refused to go away and produced an excellent spell of hockey.
At 33:00, Corey Clough-Howard pulled one back with an unassisted effort.
Just over three minutes later, Stewart Nelson tied the game at 36:30, finishing from Phil Pearce to make it 4–4.
Momentum swung even further towards the Warriors when Clough-Howard struck again unassisted at 37:53, giving the Warriors their first lead of the night at 5–4.
However, the Steamers hit back before the buzzer, scoring at 39:19 to level the game at 5–5 heading into the final period.
Steamers 5-5 Warriors
3rd period
After an evenly matched opening forty minutes, the game was ultimately decided during a dramatic spell early in the third.
The Warriors were assessed a minor penalty at 44:10, and Manchester wasted little time taking advantage. The Steamers scored on the resulting power-play at 44:25 to move ahead 6–5.
That goal sparked a decisive momentum swing.
Further Steamers goals followed at 45:05 and 45:27, turning a tied game into an 8–5 advantage in the space of just over a minute.
The Warriors continued to battle and had opportunities to get back into the game.
The Steamers took a minor penalty at 50:20, but still the Warriors were unable to reduce the deficit.
A Warriors penalty at 51:08 further disrupted any comeback hopes, and the Steamers were able to see out the remainder of the game comfortably.
Final score:
Steamers 8-5 Warriors
Points scorers :
Corey Clough-Howard 2+0
Chris Hamilton 1+0
Jonjo Marshall 1+0
Stu Nelson 1+0
Howard Barwick 0+1
Jake Crabtree 0+1
Phil Pearce 0+1
Dexter Duffy-Howard
Player Of The Game?
Jake Crabtree
Captain’s Helmet
There is some confusion over who won the Player Of The Game award for the Warriors as the Steamers awarded it to #73 - but both Dexter Duffy-Howard and Zach Huntley wore that number.
In either case, Dexter collected the beers! The Captain’s Helmet went to Jake Crabtree who picked up his first point for the Warriors. Well played to all three of you!
For a side made up largely of Warriors² and Warriors³ players, the team produced an excellent account of themselves and were level at 5–5 heading into the final period.
A costly sequence of three goals in just over a minute early in the third ultimately decided the contest, but there were plenty of positives to take from an energetic and competitive performance against a well-drilled Steamers side.
Well played to both teams and thanks to the Steamers for hosting! Maybe we’ll see you in Leeds soon?
