The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks travelled South on Saturday evening to face Swindon Wildcats for their first game of a double road-game weekend but failed to post a marker on the scoresheet which saw the hosts claim a 3-0 victory.
The Sharks travelled with 14+2, missing key forwards #9 Mason Alderson and #21 Torran Anderson through injury, whilst #68 Callum Boyd and #30 Calum Hepburn were unable to travel leaving Solway with an uphill battle from the offset. Meanwhile, Swindon lined up with 18+2 and opted to start #30 Renny Marr, which saw a battle of the brothers in net as #33 Jordan Marr guarded the opposite pipes.
1st period
Sharks started the period with possession and fired a series of shots on Marr, but he soaked up the pressure to deny an early lead for the visitors. Momentum shifted after the Wildcats applied the forechecking pressure, which forced #12 Kell Beattie to sit the first penalty of the evening at 7:29 for tripping. Despite Wildcats having one of the most effective PP units, the Sharks prevented Swindon claiming the opening goal.
However, after consistent pressure from Swindon’s first line, Head Coach #19 Aaron Nell capitalised on the rebound from #3 Balint Pakozdi’s initial shot at 12:45 to give the hosts an advantage. The Wildcats looked to claw a 2nd strike in quick succession, but a strong defensive performance from the Sharks was enough to break down Swindon’s chances and keep Solway just a goal away from equalising the scoreline looking ahead to the 2nd period.
2nd period
Both sides returned for the middle frame eager to contribute to the scoreboard, yet both Marr brothers made the stops down either ends down the ice. Solway gave the Wildcats another advantage at 26:33 as #49 Liam Danskin was called for holding, but another strong PK unit denied the Swindon offence. The Sharks continued to work chances on Marr, although he matched their efforts to retain his shutout so far.
Tensions rose during the 2nd period, which resulted in #63 Joe Coulter eventually sit for roughing at 31:11 putting the Sharks at risk of conceding once again. It was third time lucky for the Wildcats on the PP after #72 Glenn Billing fired a one-timer from the crease past Marr from #3 Balint Pakozdi and #71 Edgars Bebris at 32:44 to double Swindon’s lead. Solway continue to create chances, but their final shots failed to find a way past Marr for the remainder of the 2nd period, seeing Swindon take a 2-0 advantage into the final frame.
3rd period
Swindon quickly extended their lead to 3 goals in the opening minutes of the 3rd period after #26 Jake Bricknell cleaned up the loose change off his initial breakaway strike at 41:03, assisted by #71 Edgars Bebris. Moments later, goal-scorer #72 Glenn Billing was handed a tripping penalty at 41:23, putting Solway on their first powerplay opportunity of the evening. Despite multiple efforts from the Sharks forwards, Marr stood strong for the hosts and prevented Solway reducing the deficit through the extra skater.
Swindon continued to dominate for the remainder of the period, yet the Sharks fired multiple attempts on Marr in hopes of a consolation goal. Solway landed themselves on a 3on5 penalty kill for 90 seconds in the closing minutes as both #43 Nolan Gardiner and #5 Olivier Arseneau sat for holding at 57:12 and 57:42 respectively. However, a strong shift for the PK units denied the Wildcats a 4th marker before the buzzer sounded.
MVPs were awarded to Solway’s #12 Kell Beattie for a strong performance in both zones. Meanwhile, #30 Renny Marr claimed the title for Swindon after his shut-out performance against his brother’s side.
STATS –
Swindon Wildcats: Aaron Nell 1+0, Glenn Billing 1+0, Jake Bricknell 1+0, Balint Pakozdi 0+2, Edgars Bebris 0+2, Tomasz Malasinski 0+1, Chris Jones 0+1