The Dynamic Property Services-sponsored Solway Sharks travelled to Slough on Sunday to face the Berkshire Bees. Following a narrow defeat to Hull the night before, the Sharks were eager for redemption on the road.
The Sharks started strong, applying early pressure, but it was the Bees who struck first. Ralfs Circenis found the back of the net from the high slot to give the home side the lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as a well-executed passing play between Gardiner, Dunbar, and Robertson led to Caly Robertson redirecting the puck past Bees netminder Max Wright. With under five minutes remaining in the period, a loose puck in front landed on Robertson’s stick, and he made no mistake, slotting it low into the net to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
The second period saw the Bees push hard for an equaliser. The Sharks responded well to the pressure and extended their lead just over a minute in when Stuart Kerr and Lewis Young combined to set up Mason Alderson. Alderson displayed excellent skill and composure, deking past Wright and finishing beautifully. With just over five minutes left in the period, the Bees capitalised on a power play as Circenis netted his second of the night, slipping one past Jordan Marr. The period ended with the Sharks holding a narrow 3-2 advantage.
The third period saw an explosion of goals from both teams. The Bees struck first, levelling the score early on another power play goal from Marcel Balaz. However, the Sharks wasted no time responding, regaining the lead just 23 seconds later when Oliver Arseneau and Nolan Gardiner combined to set up Robertson in the slot for his hat-trick goal. The back-and-forth action continued, with Balaz once again finding an answer for the Bees less than two minutes later. The momentum swung in the Bees’ favour as Dominik Gabaj fired past Marr to give the home team their first lead since the opening period. Sensing the shift, Sharks Head Coach Martin Grubb called a timeout to refocus his team.
With under seven minutes to play, Olivier Arseneau fired a short-side shot past Wright to level the game once more. However, the Bees responded yet again, as Balaz broke free in the neutral zone, going in on a half-breakaway and slotting a five-hole shot past Marr to reclaim the lead. The Sharks pulled their netminder for the extra attacker in a desperate push for a late equaliser. Despite several close chances, the Bees held firm to secure a thrilling 6-5 home victory.
The Solway Sharks won’t have time to dwell on the loss, as they return to home ice this Saturday, February 22nd, to take on the Telford Tigers at the Shark Tank. With the Tigers currently occupying the final playoff spot, the Sharks are determined to climb the standings, making this one of the most crucial matchups of the season. Doors open at 5:30 pm for a 7:00 pm face-off. The team will need the full support of the home crowd to propel them forward in this pivotal encounter. Secure your tickets now at https://sharksihc.com/tickets/ or in person at the Dumfries Ice Bowl.