The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks returned back to Dumfries Ice Bowl to face the Peterborough Phantoms in game 1 of a double header weekend on home ice, after taking a narrow 2-3 win over the Steeldogs on the road. Despite a gridlocked score for the majority of play, the Phantoms clenched a 3-5 victory against the Sharks.
Solway iced a squad of 17+2 as #71 Craig Peacock remained in the squad to cover for the GB u20 Sharks’ absences, whilst #25 Connor Henderson made his return from injury. However, the hosts were short on defencemen as both #55 Owen Rae and #53 Kian Shevlin iced for their respective 2-way sides. Meanwhile, the Phantoms also travelled with 17+2 as #5 Bailey Challans was called up from Nottingham Lions and #63 Zaine McKenzie from Coventry Blaze to bolster their defence. However, #29 Cameron Hough missed out to serve his ban.
1st period – (0-1)
The Phantoms began the game in control of possession, but #33 Jordan Marr reacted quickly to prevent the visitors claiming an early lead. Momentum then shifted in the Sharks favour as officials let play flow with minimal stoppages, allowing imports #22 John Dunbar and #43 Nolan Gardiner to link up, but fellow Canadian #30 Hayden Lavigne matched their efforts to maintain a goal-less scoreline.
Solway continued to pressurise Peterborough’s defence unit as they forced play into the Phantoms zone for sustained periods of time, yet they soaked up the pressure well on multiple occasions, denying the Sharks’ firepower. However, against the run of play, Phantoms Captain #19 Luke Ferrara fired the puck past Marr on a breakaway at 19:24, seeing Peterborough gain a narrow lead after the opening 20 minutes of play.
2nd period – (2-1)
Solway quickly looked to answer back in the middle frame, through the 3rd line but again, #30 Lavigne made the stops for Peterborough. The Phantoms soon doubled their lead as #96 Jarvis Hunt redirected #4 Nojus Venskutonis’ original shot with a tip in the crease at 24:23 to leave Sharks trailing by 2 goals.
Solway were handed the first powerplay opportunity of the evening at 26:14 as #23 Zaine McKenzie sat for tripping, but Phantoms defended their lead well. The Sharks continued to work chances in the offensive zone, but it was Lavigne who made the overall difference for the visitors who were heavily outshot in the 2nd period.
The efforts from the Solway forwards were eventually converted into an opening goal at 33:30 as #22 John Dunbar slotted the rebound past Lavigne after #43 Nolan Gardiner’s initial shot from the left face-off circle, to halve the deficit. Sharks retained possession following the first marker through #16 Bailey Thomson which then caused commotion in the crease after his shot on goal. Several players battled for the puck as Phantoms were desperate to clear but a cool, calm and collected #22 John Dunbar fired top shelf from point over the traffic to claim the equalising goal for Solway at 35:45.
The consistent threat posed by the Sharks on the Phantoms resulted in #4 Nojus Venskutonis being called for slashing at 38:36, putting Peterborough a man short momentarily. The hosts failed to capitalise on the advantage before the end of the 2nd period, resulting in the score remaining 2-2.
3rd period – (1-3)
Solway looked to capitalise on the remainder of the powerplay, but Phantoms tied the forwards up along the boards to chew the clock down. Peterborough came close to grabbing the go-ahead goal at 45:03 after Speirs’ effort, but Marr held firmly tight onto the puck forcing the officials to wave off the goal.
The Sharks were awarded another powerplay opportunity at 46:14 after confusion with changes on the Phantoms bench, resulted in #13 Connor Glossop sitting a bench minor penalty at 46:14. Despite Solway cycling the puck around the zone, Peterborough’s PK unit held on well to retain a 2-2 scoreline. However, within the same minute of Phantoms returning to full strength, Sharks worked a play to break the deadlock. Solway’s #43 Nolan Gardiner fired 5-hole on Lavigne after the feed from behind the goal by #22 John Dunbar, putting Sharks ahead for the first time at 48:52.
However, the Phantoms reacted quickly and answered back through #38 Duncan Speirs with a shot from the right wing at 51:25, assisted by #91 Nathan Salem to equalise. Solway were handed their first penalty of the evening at 56:29 after #63 Joe Coulter received a double minor for high sticking, leaving Sharks on the PK for the remainder of the game.
The hosts were then forced to go 3on5 at 58:06 with a tied scoreline after #6 Stuart Kerr was called for delaying the game. Despite their defensive efforts, the Phantoms clenched a go-ahead goal through #19 Luke Ferrara to give Peterborough the edge in the dying moments, forcing the Sharks coaching staff to call a time-out. The visitors punished Solway further at the death as #19 Luke Ferrara claimed his hat-trick at 59:34, sealing a 3-5 win for the Phantoms.
MVPs were awarded to #22 John Dunbar for Solway, following his involvement in all 3 goals. Meanwhile, #30 Hayden Lavigne was awarded the title for Peterborough after his consistent shot-blocking for Peterborough.