The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks returned back to the Sharktank on Saturday evening, rebounding from their loss over the Phantoms 6 days prior, to claim a strong 4-1 victory over the Berkshire Bees.
Solway lined up with 16+2 as #21 Torran Anderson, #25 Connor Henderson and #16 Bailey Thomson returned into the lineup to bolster the offence. However, #53 Kian Shevlin, #55 Owen Rae and #17 Joe Lynch were unavailable due to 2-way agreements. Sharks gave #33 Jordan Marr the start after his MVP performance the previous game, backed up by Solway u19 Logan Reid.
Meanwhile, Berkshire travelled with 14+2 as #18 Preston Tombs, #80 Sam Davies and #27 Josh Smith missed out from the previous evening. However, #6 Louis Allen added to the squad in Dumfries. Canadian import #42 Max Wright was given the start between the pipes following the shootout win against the Bristol Pitbulls.
1st period – (1-0)
Sharks won the initial face-off and dominated the puck, firing early shots on Wright but he made the stops to deny Solway’s first line. Berkshire were handed the first penalty of the game at 5:30 as #19 Will Stead was called for hooking #92 Caly Robertson on the breakaway. However, the Bees defence prevented Solway picking up the first goal on the powerplay.
The Sharks continued to fire shots on Wright and after sustained pressure, Berkshire called a 30 second timeout to break momentum at 11:51. Bees switched the run of play and forced Marr to make a series of saves to retain a goal-less scoreline. Sharks were forced on the penalty kill at 14:45 after #25 Connor Henderson sat for tripping.
Solway came close with a SH breakaway through #21 Torran Anderson, but Wright made the stop on the left post to deny the GB u20. The Sharks returned to full strength and quickly capitalised through #43 Nolan Gardiner as he slotted the rebound past Wright after #9 Alderson’s strike to claim his 40th goal of the season at 17:31. Berkshire looked to answer back quickly, but #12 Kell Beattie applied a poke check to deny #33 Ralfs Circenis on the breakaway.
2nd period – (2-1)
Berkshire returned for the middle frame and levelled the score to 1-1 after just 15 seconds through #23 Dominik Gabaj as he intercepted the stretch pass on the blue line, to fire top corner past Marr. However, the firepower of Solway’s first line proved too much for the Bees as #22 John Dunbar fired home on the back door after #43 Nolan Gardiner looked to jam the puck past Wright on the near post at 25:23 to re-claim the lead for Sharks.
Berkshire were determined to equalise once more and forced Marr to make a huge block sliding from post to post, denying #21 Marcel Balaz. Solway continued their offensive threat, which resulted in #16 Bailey Thomson claiming his first goal as a Shark at 28:10 after collecting the puck in the lane to turn and fire, slotting the puck bottom corner past Wright to double the lead to 3-1 for his side.
Thomson’s goal sent a buzz through the Solway squad who maintained possession for the remainder of the 2nd period, although #42 Max Wright matched their efforts to keep his side in fighting contention. Solway were handed another opportunity to add to the score at 36:21 as #24 Dan Rose sat for tripping. However, play was forced 4on4 as Sharks’ #12 Kell Beattie was called for high sticks at 38:04 to complete the period with a 3-1 scoreline in favour to Solway.
3rd period – (1-0)
Solway killed the remainder of Beattie’s penalty off successfully, although he headed back to the box at 43:30 this time for tripping. Berkshire’s #2 Adam Rosbottom came close to reducing the deficit with a wraparound attempt, but Marr made the pad save. Solway’s 3rd line linked up to create chances in the Berkshire zone, but again Wright matched their efforts to give Bees a chance at halving the deficit.
Play paused momentarily as #33 Ralfs Circenis took a knock in the Berkshire zone at 49:08, however he returned back into play shortly after. Solway then added another marker to the scoreline as #68 Callum Boyd flicked the puck over Wright on a rebound attempt at 51:48, assisted by #63 Joe Coulter and Captain #10 Liam Stenton, finished with a Shark celebration towards the bench.
Solway were awarded another opportunity to capitalise on the powerplay at 53:24 as #33 Ralfs Circenis sat for tripping #9 Mason Alderson, yet the Berkshire PK unit soaked up the pressure well. Sharks forward, #88 Kyle Carruth came agonisingly close with a wrist shot from the slot at 58:02, but Wright made the stop to complete the game with a 4-1 win to Solway in Dumfries ice Bowl.
MVPs were awarded to #16 Bailey Thomson for Solway following his first goal in a Sharks jersey. Meanwhile, #42 Max Wright claimed the title for Berkshire after a consistent effort between the pipes.