The Dynamic property services sponsored Solway Sharks returned to winning ways, claiming a dominant 7-2 victory over the Peterborough Phantoms in the Shark Tank on Saturday evening, courtesy of a Nolan Gardiner hat-trick, following a disappointing previous weekend.
The Sharks lined up with the addition of #16 Bailey Thomson who made his first official league debut, however both #55 Owen Rae and #15 Kieran Hair remained on the injury list. Solway opted for #33 Jordan Marr between the pipes once again, who was set to face his former team for the first time, backed up by #30 Calum Hepburn. Meanwhile Canadian import #30 Hayden Lavigne was given the start for Peterborough, accompanied by #50 Luke Clark on the bench.
1st period
The Sharks got off to a flying start and immediately applied offensive pressure on Lavigne through the first line of Robertson, Dunbar and Gardiner. Solway maintained puck possession, allowing #9 Mason Alderson to open the scoring at 7:23 after firing from point, assisted by #14 Lewis Young. The Phantoms defence then put in a strong shift to keep the Sharks at bay, who had controlled the pace of play for the majority of the period.
Despite efforts from Bowering and Mitchell-King for the visitors, Solway overturned the puck and doubled their lead through #63 Joe Coulter who claimed his first goal since returning North, assisted by #88 Kyle Carruth and #21 Torran Anderson at 17:49. The Sharks upheld their momentum, seeing #43 Nolan Gardiner fire over Lavigne’s shoulder at 18:37 after the feed from #22 John Dunbar, securing a 3-0 lead to the hosts after the opening 20 minutes.
2nd period
Marr was put to work early in the middle frame, but he made the stops to prevent the Phantoms forwards. Solway captain #10 Liam Stenton was handed the first penalty of the game at 26:53 for hooking, which saw #24 Austin Mitchell-King capitalise on the advantage to reduce the deficit at 27:40. Peterborough then returned the favour at 30:33 as #96 Jarvis Hunt sat for roughing, however the Sharks failed to answer.
Peterborough clenched back another marker at 35:22 through #26 Tom Palmer, via #8 Louie Kynaston and #2 Tom Norton despite a sliding block by Solway Skipper #10 Stenton. Moments later, #92 Caly Robertson picked up a slashing penalty at 35:53, giving the visitors a chance to equalise but they returned to full strength still ahead. After a strong passage of play, #14 Lewis Young flicked the puck backhand through #30 Lavigne’s 5-hole assisted by #9 Alderson and #5 Arseneau at 39:50 posting the score at 4-2 heading into the final frame.
3rd period
Sharks were eager to re-claim their initial 3 goal lead and were hungry for the puck, resulting in #22 John Dunbar claiming possession behind the Phantoms goal to slot the puck past #30 Lavigne at 44:10. Solway’s first line proved the most threatening and added another to the Sharks tally at 46:51 as #43 Nolan Gardiner grabbed his 2nd of the game, flicking the puck top-shelf on the backhand. Phantoms then opted to switch out #30 Hayden Lavigne for #50 Luke Clark following a 6th goal for the hosts.
Solway’s #21 Torran Anderson was brought down in the neutral zone at 48:40, resulting in #88 Kyle Carruth stepping up for his linemate. Both #88 Carruth and #29 Hough sat for fighting, whilst Kyle picked up an added 5minutes for instigation. The break in play posed no threat for #43 Nolan Gardiner who claimed his hat-trick at 48:17 extending the lead to 5 goals for Solway.
The Sharks controlled play and cycled the puck around the zone, firing several shots on Clark in the closing 10 minutes of the game, however he made the stops to allow Phantoms a chance offensively. Peterborough worked multiple chances through Captain #19 Luke Ferrara, yet Marr denied his former teammate, securing a dominant 7-2 victory for his new side, Solway Sharks.
MVPs were awarded to Solway’s hat-trick hero, #43 Nolan Gardiner for the hosts following his continuous pressure on the Phantoms net. Meanwhile, #24 Austin Mitchell-king claimed the title for the Peterborough Phantoms after opening the scoring for his side.
STATS –
Solway Sharks: Nolan Gardiner 3+1, John Dunbar 1+3, Mason Alderson 1+1, Joe Coulter 1+0, Lewis Young 1+1, Olivier Arseneau 0+2, Kyle Carruth 0+1, Torran Anderson 0+1, Caly Robertson 0+1, Liam Stenton 0+1
Peterborough Phantoms: Austin Mitchell-King 1+0, Tom Palmer 1+0, Louie Kynaston 0+1, Tom Norton 0+1