The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks travelled East to face the Hull Seahawks on Sunday evening, falling short with a 6-1 loss to the home side courtesy of braces from Seahawks’ Captain, #21 Bobby Chamberlain and #74 Lee Bonner. Sharks faced the same problem as their previous road game, lining up with a short bench of 14+2 after #9 Mason Alderson and #21 Torran Anderson stepped out of the squad. Meanwhile, #14 Lewis Young and #15 Kieran Hair remained on the injury list for Solway.
On the other hand, Hull iced a squad of 16+2, missing key players of their own such as #13 Dave Phillips and #11 Owen Bruton through injuries, whilst #12 Tommy Spraggon returned to his 2-way side. Sharks opted for #33 Jordan Marr to start between the pipes, matched up against fellow Scot, #72 Jordan McLaughlin for the Seahawks.
1st period – (3-1)
Seahawks won the initial face-off and immediately tested #33 Jordan Marr through #74 Lee Bonner, but he made the stops to deny Hull an early lead. Sharks were handed the first penalty of the evening at 1:32 as #5 Olivier Arseneau was called for hooking #96 Owen Sobchak, however Solway’s PK held strong to detain the Seahawks’ firepower.
Hull continued their offensive threat and capitalised through #21 Bobby Chamberlain who flicked the puck backhand over Marr after the feed from the blue line by #73 Josh Hodgkinson at 5:38, putting Seahawks ahead. The Sharks defensive unit had to step up as the hosts were relentless in the offensive zone, but Marr soaked up the shots well to keep Solway in with a chance of levelling the score.
However, Sharks were caught on the change which allowed the Seahawks Skipper to claim his 2nd of the evening at 13:15 with a low, hard shot past Marr into the bottom corner to double the lead for his side. The Sharks were eager to halve the deficit quickly, but McLaughlin made the stops for Hull against Gardiner and Dunbar.
Jordan Marr made yet another huge stop for Solway after a scramble in the crease, although just 5 seconds later Seahawks found a way past the Sharks’ netminder. Canadian import, #9 Johnny Corneil fired the puck from an almost impossible angle into the top corner at 18:51, sending Seahawks 3 goals clear. However, Solway answered back through #22 John Dunbar in the closing minute at 19:15 with a golf swing-like finish on the back door to complete the opening period 3-1 in favour to Hull.
2nd period – (1-0)
Solway returned and fired shots on McLaughlin in an attempt to claw back another marker, but he matched their efforts to uphold the lead for Hull. Seahawks were forced to ice the puck multiple times as Sharks continued to search for a way past McLaughlin, however they failed to connect successfully.
Hull handed the visitors a major opportunity at 26:44 as #23 Lee Haywood sat for roughing after taking #63 Joe Coulter down in the Seahawks zone. Despite multiple efforts from the Sharks, Hull returned to full strength without conceding. The Seahawks generated chances through their 3rd line however the Solway D-men blocked the shots to deny the hosts adding a 4th goal.
The Sharks landed themselves on a penalty kill once more at 32:54 as #12 Kell Beattie was called for tripping, which allowed #71 Emil Švec to slot one past Marr after faking the initial shot at 34:34, assisted by his teammates to extend the lead. Solway’s Nolan Gardiner came narrowly close with a one-timer strike from the point after a feed by Coulter, yet McLaughlin made the pad save late in the frame to secure Hull a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes.
3rd period – (2-0)
Solway’s imports, Gardiner and Dunbar applied the attacking pressure on the Seahawks net, but their efforts were denied once again by #72 McLaughlin who posted a series of saves. Sharks were a player short once more after #5 Olivier Arseneau headed to the box for interference on Švec, but the Solway PK unit performed well to prevent the Seahawks.
Discipline slipped again for the visitors as #12 Kell Beattie sat again for tripping at 46:14 after bringing Edwards down in the Sharks crease, putting strain on the defence but they held strong on the penalty kill. However, Hull claimed their 5th goal of the evening through #74 Lee Bonner with a low strike at 50:32, following a brief 3on1 spell for the Seahawks.
Tensions began to spill over between the 2 sides as words were exchanged, following a tripping call on Hull’s #73 Josh Hodgkinson at 51:21 which forced Hull back on the PK. Solway’s Skipper, #10 Liam Stenton fired a huge chance on McLaughlin but he made the stop through traffic, preventing Sharks from reducing the deficit. The hosts fired the final goal of the evening at 55:10, as #74 Lee Bonner capitalised on a breakaway to claim his 2nd of the evening, posting Seahawks 5 goals clear. Solway were determined to clench a late marker, however McLaughlin once again denied the offensive threat to secure his side a 6-1 home victory at the Hull Ice Arena.
MVPs were awarded to #22 John Dunbar after an exquisite finish for Solway, whilst #74 Lee Bonner claimed the title for Hull following his brace in the final frame.
The Dynamic Property Services-sponsored Solway Sharks are hitting the road for the next two weekends, with their next home game scheduled for Saturday, February 15th, when they’ll take on the Hull Seahawks at the Shark Tank.
While the team is away, fans can still catch all the action at the Dumfries Ice Bowl! Join the excitement at our Watch Parties, where supporters can come together to cheer on the Sharks during their road trip.
For more information about the Watch Parties and to secure tickets for February’s home games, visit sharksihc.com/tickets. Don’t miss out—mark your calendars and show your Shark pride!