The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks completed their double header weekend in the Shark Tank against the Berkshire Bees with a 6-3 win to secure a 4-point weekend, pushing them 4 points clear of Telford Tigers.
Solway lined up with a squad of 18+2, as #55 Owen Rae iced his first game after injury for the Sharks, alongside fellow 2-way forward #16 Bailey Thomson. Meanwhile, #53 Kian Shevlin and #17 Joe Lynch were unavailable, and #15 Kieran Hair still remained out through injury. Bees retained the same depleted squad from the previous evening and opted for netminder #45 Dean Skinns once again, whilst #30 Calum Hepburn started his 3rd game of the season for Solway.
1st period
Solway immediately looked to continue their dominating performance over the Bees from the previous evening after the initial puck drop through the first line of Dunbar, Gardiner and Henderson. However, it was #92 Caly Robertson who opened the scoring at 6:50 with a tight angled shot, assisted by #63 Joe Coulter. The Bees searched for a way to quickly answer back but were denied after a series of stops by #30 Calum Hepburn.
Sharks doubled their lead at 12:43 after #88 Kyle Carruth claimed his 2nd goal of the weekend with a one-timer from point, following the feed from #9 Mason Alderson. The hosts maintained momentum, allowing #43 Nolan Gardiner to extend the lead at 15:28 with a tip from #49 Liam Danskin’s blue line strike.
Berkshire worked their chances well following the 3rd goal, allowing #19 Will Stead to tip the puck high over Hepburn after #15 Ty Cathcart’s initial shot. Solway put their PK unit to use first after #12 Kell Beattie was called for holding at 19:03, but the score remained 3-1 in favour to Solway after the opening 20 minutes.
2nd period
Sharks successfully killed off the remainder of Beattie’s penalty and quickly looked to add to their tally, but the Bees defence kept the offence at bay momentarily. A pressurising play from the 2nd line resulted in #14 Lewis Young firing a one-timer over Skinns following the set-up by #9 Mason Alderson at 26:23. Bees then gave away an opportunity for Sharks to claim a 2nd goal in quick succession as #19 Will Stead sat for slashing at 27:21 but Skinns made the stops.
The hosts continued to dominate puck possession, but Berkshire held strong to deny Solway’s efforts. A shift in momentum saw #19 Will Stead fire from point to reduce the deficit back to 2 at 38:42, assisted by fellow import #9 Vanya Antonov which posted the score at 4-2 after 40 minutes of play.
3rd period
Solway returned for the final frame with a point to prove, seeing #43 Nolan Gardiner slot home the rebound for Sharks, following the initial strike from #22 Dunbar just 12 seconds into the period to reclaim a 3-goal lead. Berkshire created multiple chances of their own, but Hepburn matched their efforts to retain Solway’s current lead. Canadian import #43 Nolan Gardiner claimed his 2nd hat-trick of the weekend after volleying his initial rebound past Skinns from close range at 48:02, assisted by #12 Kell Beattie.
Berkshire’s sole scorer #19 Will Stead was called for hooking at 50:42 which the visitors managed to kill off and were then returned the favour as #16 Bailey Thomson received a tripping call at 54:59. Bees punished the Sharks for their slip in discipline as Stead slotted his hat-trick goal past Hepburn on the PP at 55:36. Solway were eager to cancel out the late marker from Berkshire yet the final buzzer sounded a 6-3 victory for the hosts, resulting in a 4 point weekend for the Sharks.
MVPs were awarded to the same players as the evening prior – #43 Nolan Gardiner and #19 Will Stead after they both contributed hat-tricks to their respective sides.
STATS –
Solway Sharks: Nolan Gardiner 3+0, Caly Robertson 1+0, Kyle Carruth 1+0, Lewis Young 1+0, John Dunbar 0+3, Mason Alderson 0+2, Kell Beattie 0+2, Joe Coulter 0+1, Liam Danskin 0+1, Olivier Arseneau 0+1
Berkshire Bees: Will Stead 3+0, Vanya Antonov 0+2, Ty Cathcart 0+1, Marcel Balaz 0+1, Dominik Gabaj 0+1
Canadian import forward, Nolan Gardiner had this to say regarding the weekends results:
It was great to get a four-point weekend. The fans and atmosphere were great at the Shark Tank. We will look to carry this momentum into next weekend and continue climbing up the table.”
The Dynamic Property Services-sponsored Solway Sharks return to home ice on Saturday, December 21st, as they take on the Hull Seahawks. This exciting match will see the Sharks sporting their special Christmas jerseys, adding a festive touch to the action.
After the game, fans will have the opportunity to take home one of these unique jerseys during a live auction in Sharky’s Bar. Bidding is already open—simply email the club at commercial@sharksihc.com to place your bid. In a meaningful gesture, all proceeds from #49 Liam Danskin’s jersey will be donated to Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland, so don’t miss the chance to contribute to this important cause. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with face-off set for 7:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online at sharksihc.com/tickets or in person at the Dumfries Ice Bowl. We can’t wait to see you there—come out, cheer on the Sharks, and enjoy a fantastic evening of hockey and holiday fun!