The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks iced their 3rd consecutive game in Dumfries Ice Bowl on Saturday evening, claiming an emphatic 8-1 win over the Bristol Pitbulls after a 4-goal middle period for the hosts.

Solway lined up with 15+2 as #71 Craig Peacock hung his skates back up amidst the return of GB u20 #88 Kyle Carruth. However, Sharks were missing #16 Bailey Thomson and #17 Joe Lynch as they iced for their 2-way sides whilst #21 Torran Anderson and #15 Kieran Hair were placed on the injury list.

On the other hand, Bristol travelled with 17+2 as import #27 Mitch Walinski and #10 Josh Poole made their debuts, whilst #23 Jacob White-Sey iced his first game back since the GB u20 World Championships. Solway gave #33 Jordan Marr the start after a rest in their previous game, matched up against regular starter #33 Tommy Nappier for the Pitbulls.

1st period – (2-0)

Sharks got off to the perfect start, despite Marr making the initial save in the game, after #9 Mason Alderson raced down the right wing and deked past the Bristol defence to fire over Nappier’s pads at 1:52 which gave Solway an early edge. Solway’s consistent offensive threat in the opening minutes forced #7 Cam Hamill to give away the first penalty of the evening at 5:55 for interference.

However, a strong PK unit for the Pitbulls denied Sharks a chance of doubling their current lead. Solway retained momentum, yet #33 Tommy Nappier matched the efforts on net by the Sharks forwards for his side. Another major chance for the Sharks was created by #12 Kell Beattie at 13:53 after his slap shot from the point rebounded off Nappier’s pads in the crease, although sticks were tied up preventing a rebound conversion.

Just as Bristol were starting to find their feet in the game, #22 John Dunbar followed suit to Alderson’s initial opener and broke down the right wing to fire top shelf on Nappier, doubling the advantage to 2-0 for the Sharks at 17:53. Gardiner made a final shot on Nappier in the closing minute, but he made the stop to see Solway lead 2-0 after the first period of play.

2nd period – (4-1)

The hosts found themselves a man short early in the middle frame as #6 Stuart Kerr was called for interference at 21:52. Exactly a minute later, #11 Sean Morris jammed the puck past Marr on the backdoor following the feed from #77 Bayley Harewood which halved the deficit for Bristol. However, moments later #5 Olivier Arseneau answered back for Solway after connecting with the puck mid-air on a full-length stretch, whilst Bristol were on a delayed penalty call at 24:35.

The Pitbulls landed themselves another PK at 26:35 as new import #27 Mitch Walinski hooked #88 Kyle Carruth on the breakaway. Solway converted the opportunity to go 4-1 up through #89 Scott Henderson, firing low past Nappier from the crease after the thread from #43 Nolan Gardiner behind the goal at 28:09. Although, minutes later Solway’s latest goal-scorer sat for high sticks at 33:49, giving Bristol a chance to continue their 100% PP conversion so far. A strong defensive shift for the Sharks saw them return to full strength without conceding and were rewarded shortly after as #71 Jay King was called for slashing at 36:22.

The Sharks capitalised on their chance once again through #22 John Dunbar, who fired the puck from the tightest of angles aside the goal line at 37:45 posting Solway 4 goals clear. Bristol failed to break down the Sharks offensive threat as #43 Nolan Gardiner added another to the tally at 39:22, firing 5-hole through Nappier. Pitbulls’ #51 Reece Cochrane snapped his stick in anger following the goal, seeing him sit for unsportsmanlike conduct at 39:22. Solway failed to convert before the buzzer sounded, ending the 2nd period with a 6-1 scoreline in favour to the hosts.

3rd period – (6-1)

Bristol returned for the final frame with clear intent, despite being on the penalty kill, which forced #12 Kell Beattie to give away a tripping call at 41:05. The Sharks sent out a strong PK unit and returned to full strength with the 6-1 scoreline unchanged. However, seconds later #33 Jordan Marr picked up a high sticking infraction at 43:51 which was sat by #88 Kyle Carruth. Once again, the Sharks defensive unit coped well under pressure and the forwards immediately fired shots on Nappier as Carruth returned back into play.

Tensions started to bubble as Sharks continued to keep Bristol off the scoreboard, resulting in #73 Sam Smith sitting for roughing at 50:46. There was a brief break in play at 52:19 after #14 Lewis Young collided awkwardly with #27 Mitch Walinski along the boards, seeing him head to the changing rooms early, helped off by Alderson and Coulter. Bristol killed off the remainder of Smith’s penalty however neither team remained at full strength for long.

Tensions spilled in the Sharks zone at 53:35, seeing #88 Kyle Carruth sit 2 double minors for cross checking and unsportsmanlike conduct, whilst #77 Bayley Harewood and #7 Cam Hamill were handed slashing and roughing penalties respectively. The pause in play failed to slow down the Solway offence as #12 Kell Beattie added his name to the scoresheet at 54:22, firing a one-timer at point past Nappier after the thread from #22 John Dunbar.

Bristol found themselves a player short once more at 56:36 as Captain #24 Tanner Butler was called for cross-checking, but the Pitbulls PK unit denied the Sharks, despite the multiple efforts fired on Nappier. Solway’s top goal scorer, #43 Nolan Gardiner picked up his 2nd of the evening in the final minute at 59:14 sending the puck across the line as his stick snapped simultaneously to secure his side an 8-1 win in the Sharktank.

MVPs were awarded to #22 John Dunbar for Solway after a 6-point performance, meanwhile #27 Mitch Walinski picked up the title for Bristol in his debut appearance.