Match Report: Sheffield Steeldogs vs Solway Sharks 20th October 2024

The Dynamic property services sponsored Solway Sharks travelled South on Sunday afternoon to take on the Sheffield Steeldogs, looking for revenge after a 1-6 victory in the Shark Tank just 7 days prior. Despite opening the scoring, the Sharks faced a 5-2 loss to the hosts after 60 minutes.

The Sharks travelled with 15+2, missing forwards #25 Connor Henderson and #16 Bailey Thomson from the previous evening, whilst both #55 Owen Rae and #15 Kieran Hair remained on the injury list. Solway opted for regular starter #33 Jordan Marr, backed up by #30 Calum Hepburn. Meanwhile, #30 Ben Norton started between the pipes for Sheffield whilst #34 Curtis Warburton sat on the bench.

1st period

The Sharks won the opening face-off and immediately tested Norton through #43 Gardiner who reacted quickly with a catcher save. However, Solway were forced on the defensive shift after #88 Kyle Carruth was handed a tripping penalty at 3:03. The Steeldogs came close as #20 Jonathan Phillips pinged the pipes, but Marr denied any further opportunities before the Sharks returned to full strength.

Solway claimed the first goal of the afternoon at 7:44 as #63 Joe Coulter clenched his 2nd strike in as many games, after firing a one-timer past Norton after the feed from #6 Stuart Kerr and #88 Kyle Carruth. The Sharks controlled the puck in the first frame as the Steeldogs gained a feel for the tempo of the game having played the previous 2 evenings. The visitor’s 3rd line of Coulter, Carruth and Anderson proved the most threatening, but Norton matched their efforts to reduce the Sharks to a single goal lead after 20 minutes.

2nd period

Solway maintained the offensive pressure early in the middle frame, but once again Norton covered to deny an extension to the scoreline for the Sharks. Tensions rose between #12 Beattie and #37 Hällfors seeing them both sit 2 minutes for roughing at 23:54. Steeldogs then equalised after both sides returned to full strength courtesy of a one-timer by #18 Sam Tremblay at 27:25, assisted by #37 Elmeri Hällfors and #29 Nathan Ripley.

The Steeldogs capitalised moments later at 28:37 after #13 Morgan Clarke-Pizzo tucked away a breakaway opportunity for the hosts, giving them the lead for the first time. Sharks landed themselves a player short at 32:37 as #53 Kian Shevlin was called for boarding in the Solway zone, but after a strong defensive display, the visitors remained only a single goal behind.

Solway were eager to level the score, which resulted in #12 Kell Beattie sitting for holding at 39:13. With just 2 seconds left on the clock, #18 Sam Tremblay clenched his 2nd strike firing over Marr’s shoulder assisted by #72 Ivan Björkly-Nordström to give Sheffield a 2-goal lead heading into the final frame.

3rd period

The Sharks were hungry to claw a goal back early in the 3rd period as #5 Olivier Arseneau fired a series of snipes in the Sheffield crease, but they were all covered by Norton. Meanwhile, Sheffield created opportunities of their own, yet Marr guarded the pipes successfully for the visitors. Solway D-man #6 Stuart Kerr reduced the deficit after a top-corner strike through #88 Kyle Carruth and #21 Torran Anderson.

Solway set up multiple chances but failed to send the puck across the line and earn the equalising goal as the game approached the final 5 minutes of play. After winning a face-off to the right of Marr, #37 Elmeri Hällfors restored the 2-goal lead for Sheffield slotting the puck bottom corner on the backhand at 56:30. Although, Sharks were given a chance to answer back just 12 seconds later as #20 Jonathan Phillips headed to the box for tripping.

Despite being a player short, #37 Elmeri Hällfors scored the final goal of the game exactly 60 seconds after his initial marker at 57:30 to post the score at 5-2 to the Steeldogs. Both #88 Carruth and #21 Anderson generated offensive pressure in the final moments, but their efforts were swallowed by Norton to secure a victory for Sheffield.

MVPs were awarded to Solway’s netminder #33 Jordan Marr after posting some huge saves against the Sheffield offence. Meanwhile, #37 Elmeri Hällfors picked up the title for Sheffield following his involvement in 4 Sheffield goals.

The Sharks will look to return to winning ways as they are set to take on the Romford Raiders for the first time in the 24/25 season campaign on Saturday evening in the Shark Tank. Doors open at 5:30pm for a 7:00pm face-off at the Dumfries Ice Bowl – tickets are available now from the official Solway Sharks IHC website.

STATS –

Solway Sharks: Stuart Kerr 1+1, Joe Coulter 1+0, Kyle Carruth 0+2, Torran Anderson 0+1

Sheffield Steeldogs: Elmeri Hällfors 2+2, Sam Tremblay 2+2, Morgan Clarke-Pizzo 1+0, Nathan Ripley 0+3, Tim Smith 0+1, Ivan Björkly-Nordström 0+1