The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks travelled to Leeds to face the Knights in their final fixture of 2024, taking a 5-1 loss in the Castle despite a goal-less 3rd period to restrain the reigning League Champions.
Solway travelled with a squad of 18+2 as #68 Callum Boyd returned back into the lineup after serving his game ban, whilst #25 Connor Henderson and #15 Kieran Hair both missed out through injury plus #17 Joe Lynch iced for his 2-way side, Edinburgh Capitals. Meanwhile, Leeds lined up with 19+2 retaining a replicated squad from the previous evening in Dumfries and opted for regular starter #31 Sam Gospel, similarly to Solway who gave #33 Jordan Marr the nod.
1st period
The high intensity play carried over from the previous night in Dumfries from the initial puck drop as both sides searched for an early opener. Sharks were the ones to capitalise as #22 John Dunbar fired the rebound past Gospel following the strike from 43 Nolan Gardiner at 2:21 much to the travelling fans’ excitement. The Knights quickly looked for a way to answer back but the Solway defence held well to retain their lead.
However, #37 Matt Barron worked a strike past Marr at 6:04 to level the score, assisted by #12 Kieran Brown against the run of play. The Sharks first line fired multiple shots on Gospel, but he matched their efforts to maintain the level scoreline. Solway landed the first penalty of the evening at 16:38 as #63 Joe Coulter was called for hooking, but a strong PK performance prevented the hosts claiming the lead. Several superb stops in the latter half of the period from #33 Jordan Marr ensured the score remained 1-1 after 20 minutes.
2nd period
The Knights were found short-handed within the opening minute of the middle frame after #41 Oli Endicott was called for holding. However, #12 Kieran Brown intercepted a pass on the blueline by Solway to breakaway and slot the puck 5-hole on Marr, putting Leeds ahead despite being a player short at 22:29. Moments later, Knights returned to the penalty kill as #73 Bissonnette sat for tripping, but Gospel coped well with the offensive pressure from the Sharks.
Leeds’ Captain, #12 Kieran Brown fired his 2nd of the evening across the line after the feed from #9 Jordan Buesa to double the lead for the hosts at 28:29. Solway’s #63 Joe Coulter returned to the penalty box just seconds later at 28:42, which allowed #33 Finn Bradon to fire a one-timer from the slot at 29:44 stretching the lead to 4-1 for Leeds.
The Knights certainly unleashed their firepower, seeing #12 Kieran Brown claim his 2nd consecutive hat-trick with a tip from the strike by #54 Noah McMullin at 32:21, forcing Sharks Head Coach Martin Grubb to call a timeout. The break in play swung in Solway’s favour as they kept the hosts’ offence at bay for the remainder of the period whilst creating chances of their own. Leeds were forced to ice their PK unit once more as #24 Dylan Hehir was called for holding Dunbar’s stick in the crease at 38:43 but Sharks failed to reduce the deficit before the end of the 2nd period.
3rd period
Leeds successfully killed the remainder of Hehir’s penalty and looked to add to the scoreline but a perfectly timed poke check from #5 Arseneau was enough to deny Buesa and Brown. Marr continued to be put under pressure from the Knights forwards, but he held well to ensure the Sharks had a fighting contention in the final frame.
Both 3rd lines for either side created chances in their respective attacking zones but failed to find a way past the netminders who posted solid performances between the pipes. After a high intensity game, tensions spilled at 53:38 as #53 Kian Shevlin and #41 Oli Endicott exchanged words in the Solway zone, which resulted in Sharks claiming a powerplay as the Leeds forward sat an additional penalty for holding. Once more, a strong defensive display from the Knights denied Solway from earning a marker onto the scoreline.
Stenton fired multiple shots in the final minutes from the blue line in an attempt to replicate the previous evening, but Gospel made the stops to ensure the Knights signed off their final home game of 2024 with a 5-1 win in the Castle.
MVPs were awarded to both Captains for their respective sides, #10 Liam Stenton for the Sharks after an impressive performance whilst #12 Kieran Brown claimed the title for Leeds with his 2nd consecutive hat-trick of the weekend.
STATS
Solway Sharks: John Dunbar 1+0, Nolan Gardiner 0+1, Mason Alderson 0+1
Leeds Knights: Kieran Brown 3+1, Matt Barron 1+0, Finn Bradon 1+0, Jordan Buesa 0+2, Matt Bissonnette 0+1, Matt Haywood 0+1, Noah McMullin 0+1