The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks returned back to home ice after a weekend of road games, claiming an emphatic 9-3 goal-fest win over the Berkshire Bees, despite being 2 goals behind in the opening minutes of the game, thanks to a 5-goal performance from Canadian import #43 Nolan Gardiner.

The Sharks lined up with 17+2 as #9 Mason Alderson, #21 Torran Anderson and #68 Callum Boyd all returned back into the squad. Meanwhile, Kieran Hair remained on the injury list whilst #16 Bailey Thomson, #17 Joe Lynch and #55 Owen Rae all iced with their respective 2-way teams. Bees travelled with short numbers of 11+2 giving them an uphill battle from the offset. Netminder #33 Jordan Marr was given the start for Solway whilst #45 Dean Skinns guarded the pipes for Berkshire.

1st period

Sharks won the initial face-off and controlled the tempo of play early but were pressurised by the Bees. Confusion on the blue line proved costly for Solway as #9 Vanya Antonov fired wide past Marr’s blocker on a breakaway to open the scoring at 5minutes. Sharks then handed Bees a chance to double their lead as #53 Kian Shevlin sat for tripping at 6:34. Seconds later, #19 Will Stead slotted the puck across the line to give Berkshire an early 2-goal advantage at 6:48.

However, Solway answered back quickly through #43 Nolan Gardiner who fired top corner to send the bears flying in Dumfries at 7:36. Nothing could stop Nolan Gardiner as he roofed a one-timer past Skinns just 28 seconds later to equalise after a feed from #5 Olivier Arseneau. Skipper #10 Liam Stenton carried the puck through the zone following the face-off and dragged the puck past the Bees defence to fire a 3rd for Solway at 8:22 – shifting the score in favour to Sharks in just 46 seconds.

The hosts continued to dominate the opening period as the Bees started to tire, but Skinns posted the stops to keep the Sharks at bay momentarily. Sharks doubled their lead over the Bees after #88 Kyle Carruth claimed his 1st goal of the regular season with a one-timer strike via #92 Caly Robertson at 15:04. Solway maintained possession, allowing #68 Callum Boyd to claim a breakaway goal at 17:02 on his return back into the squad, seeing the hosts carry a comfortable 5-2 lead into the middle frame.

2nd period

Sharks returned for the 2nd period and immediately added a further marker to their tally at 20:46 as #25 Connor Henderson went 5-hole on Skinns to claim his first goal of the season, assisted by #22 John Dunbar. The constant offensive pressure from Solway forced #23 Dominik Gabaj to give up a hooking penalty at 26:43 but a strong PK unit denied Solway on the man advantage.

The hat-trick goal for #43 Nolan Gardiner came at 30:31, rifling a shot past Skinns after just breaking into the zone from the left wing, putting Solway 5 goals clear. However, #19 Will Stead claimed his 2nd of the evening after he slotted the puck into the bottom corner past Marr to reduce the deficit, assisted by #21 Marcel Balaz at 30:52.

Solway returned to the penalty kill at 36:06 as #88 Kyle Carruth was called for slashing, but this was cancelled out at 37:15 after the Bees bench received an unsportsmanlike conduct call. Both sides returned to full strength after defensive plays prevented any additions to the scoreline. The Bees were awarded a chance to add to their tally at 39:46 as #9 Vanya Antonov received a penalty shot, yet Marr made the blocker save to deny the visitors.

3rd period

Sharks controlled the pace of play from the initial face-off in the final frame, resulting in Berkshire giving up a call at 42:43 on Marcel Balaz for tripping in an attempt to deny Alderson. Seconds later, #43 Nolan Gardiner claimed his 4th of the evening after dragging the puck wide of Skinns on 43 minutes. Sharks returned the favour as #9 Mason Alderson sat 2 minutes for roughing at 45:17, but Bees failed to punish the hosts. However, within the same minute, #9 Alderson returned to the box for boarding, but Solway again killed the infraction.

As the game approached the final 10 minutes of play, #43 Nolan Gardiner fired his 5th goal bar-down past Skinns at 50:55, assisted by #22 John Dunbar and #6 Stuart Kerr to claim his 50th point this season and additionally a natural hat-trick. Bees were given a prolonged powerplay opportunity at 51:30 after #88 Kyle Carruth was called for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct. Another strong defensive performance for the Sharks saw off the double-minor penalties allowing Solway to round off a dominating display with a 9-3 win.

MVPs were awarded to Solway’s #43 after his 5 goals, seeing him return to the top of the NIHL leader board. Meanwhile, #19 Will Stead received the title for Berkshire following his brace.

STATS –

Solway Sharks: Nolan Gardiner 5+0, Connor Henderson 1+1, Liam Stenton 1+0, Kyle Carruth 1+0, Callum Boyd 1+0, John Dunbar 0+4, Liam Danskin 0+2, Olivier Arseneau 0+2, Joey Coulter 0+1, Caly Robertson 0+1, Jordan Marr 0+1, Stuart Kerr 0+1

Berkshire Bees: Will Stead 2+0, Vanya Antonov 1+0, Marcel Baláž 0+2, Dominik Gabaj 0+2