Adam Barnes steps up to take on leading man role for Leeds Chiefs

ON THE MARK: Adam Barnes, far right, celebrates a goal with Leeds Chiefs' team-mates Sam Zajac, left, and Lewis Baldwin. Picture courtesy of Tony Sargent.

Steven Moore happily embracing fresh challenge with Leeds Chiefs

Throw 17 assists into the mix and it is easy to see why the 20-year-old is such a prized possession of the NIHL National outfit.

Earlier in the season Barnes was regularly paired with Radek Meidl and James Archer on a top line that was regularly the team’s biggest source of points.

Archer and Meidl left in early December for pastures new and while Zajac is hoping to tie up a replacement import for the latter this week ahead of games against Telford and Hull, in Barnes he knows he already has a reliable contributor.

However, should the new import be in place for Saturday’s clash with the league leaders at the latest guest ‘home’ venue to be used by the Chiefs in Solihull, he may not automatically be paired up with Barnes, who has begun to link up well with recent arrival Lewis Houston.

Last weekend, the pair scored seven of the Chiefs’ 11 goals across two games, the first a 5-2 win over Bracknell Bees, the second a 10-6 defeat at Raiders IHC.

Three of Houston’s came via a hat-trick down in Romford, Barnes assisting twice, and Zajac believes the two have quickly developed a chemistry which, coupled with the skill offered by centre Steven Moore, is one that he is happy to continue exploiting.

CHEMISTRY SET: Lewis Houston has developed a promising connection with fellow forward Adam Barnes since switching to West Yorkshire last month.

“Both Houston and Barnesy were absolutely phenomenal all weekend and have got a really good connection going,” said Zajac. “They look dangerous every time they are on the ice, which is a huge positive for us.

“They just skated and skated, there was no quit in them and were really effective – great going forward and working hard defensively. I was delighted that they were both able to get on the scoresheet in a big way and pick some points up.

“They are young guys and are learning all the time and there is a heck of a lot of talent there for us to exploit.”

Zajac believes the departure of Meidl and Archer last month actually proved the catalyst for Barnes to step up and take on more of a leading role, one that will need to fulfilled regularly in the coming weeks if the Chiefs are to stand any chance of making the playoffs.

“After Arch and Radek left, if anything Barnesy has probably come out and shone even more,” said Zajac.

“He is our top forward and he’s thriving with the extra responsibility. He wants that in his game, to be the guy driving the offence and the go-to guy when we’re down a goal.

“His defensive game has also come on leaps and bounds too, he’s winning battles and is definitely rounding into a great two-way player for us.

“During his time in the Elite League with Manchester Storm, he probably didn’t get the kind of looks and offensive chances that he’s getting with us in this league. We’re delighted with the way he’s playing right now.

“We’re obviously looking to keep that line together with him and Lewis and Moorey because it is working well.

“And when we get the new import in we’re probably going to look to add him to a different line to start with so, hopefully, we’ll see some chemistry developing on other lines quickly too.”