The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks returned to home ice on Saturday evening in their first game of the new month, claiming a 6-3 victory. Fans were also spoilt with a Michigan goal from #88 Kyle Carruth to seal off a strong performance for the Sharks in the final moments.
Solway lined up with 17+2, as #16 Bailey Thomson and #55 Owen Rae bolstered numbers, whilst #9 Mason Alderson remained suspended. Meanwhile the Raiders travelled also with 17+2, unchanged from their meeting the previous evening against the Leeds Knights. Romford netminder #39 Ethan James replaced #50 Owen Rider between the pipes, whilst #33 Jordan Marr retained his start for Solway.
1st period – (2-2)
Sharks won the opening face-off but were quickly dispossessed by the Romford defence, forcing #68 Callum Boyd to pick up a hooking call at 1:29. However, this was cancelled out shortly after as #98 Tjay Anderson was called for slashing at 2:34. The Sharks fired shots on James during their brief powerplay, yet he denied them an early lead.
Solway found themselves on the PK shortly after as #22 John Dunbar sat for a high stick at 5:30 putting Sharks at risk of conceding. Despite a strong effort from a one-timer by #26 Reed Morison, Solway denied Romford the opening goal. Sharks turned up the pressure, but James matched their efforts to uphold a goal-less scoreline.
However, an interception in the neutral zone by #92 Caly Robertson allowed the first line to connect perfectly as #22 John Dunbar finished off the feed from #43 Nolan Gardiner on 13 minutes to give Solway the edge. However, Sharks put their lead on the line as #5 Olivier Arseneau was handed a delay of game penalty at 13:21. A matter of seconds later, #29 Jake Sylvester fired bar-down to equalise, assisted by #26 Reed Morison and #19 George Norcliffe at 13:31.
Momentum swung in favour of the Raiders, resulting in a 2nd goal finding its way past Marr from #85 Tom Palmer after the feed from #11 Tom Relf to put Romford ahead 1-2 at 14:55. However, the visitors gave up another powerplay opportunity to Solway at 15:35 as #11 Tom Relf sat for holding. The Sharks fired a flurry of shots on Ethan James, yet he made the stops to retain his side’s lead.
The hosts were eager to equalise in the closing minutes of the first period and did just so at 18:14 as #22 John Dunbar converted the tip through James’ 5-hole after the low strike from #12 Kell Beattie at 18:14. However, with another goal, followed another penalty as #21 Torran Anderson was called for cross-checking at 19:51 to close out the opening period.
2nd period – (2-1)
Solway successfully killed the penalty in the opening minutes of the period and gained momentum, looking to claim the lead. Sharks’ top goal scorer fired top-shelf past #39 Ethan James, assisted by fellow Canadian #5 Olivier Arseneau at 22:59. However, the Raiders quickly answered back to tie up the scores once more through #29 Jake Sylvester with a strike at 23:44.
Solway’s Canadian forwards Dunbar and Gardiner created a huge chance moments later, but a stick in the lane from Ashley Jackson denied the Sharks. The hosts claimed a chance to take the lead at 30:32 as #13 Elliott Dewey was called for holding the stick, yet the Romford defence performed well. Solway maintained possession of the puck, forcing #51 Ashley Jackson to pick up a hooking penalty at 36:02.
The Raiders denied Solway a PP goal, but just seconds later #14 Lewis Young capitalised on the 2nd rebound attempt after #43 Nolan Gardiner’s initial strike at 38:06. Romford were determined to level the score yet again, forcing #33 Jordan Marr to make a breakaway save on #10 Brandon Ayliffe in the dying moments of the period to ensure Solway carried a 4-3 lead into the final frame.
3rd period – (2-0)
Both sides returned for the 3rd period and struggled to find a run of form as they battled for possession. The Sharks capitalised on a defensive error by
the Raiders, but James made the stop once more for his side. Solway were handed another powerplay opportunity at 46:54 as #72 Artjoms Kazaks sat for tripping although Romford’s PK unit held off the Sharks offence.
The hosts broke through the Romford defence with Gardiner and Robertson, but James coped with the threat. Sharks then gave up a cross-checking call at 51:20 as #88 Kyle Carruth headed to the box. However, after a thread from #12 Kell Beattie to #68 Callum Boyd, #21 Torran Anderson converted the 2on0 break to claim a SH marker for Sharks at 52:55, sending Solway 2 goals clear.
Discipline slipped for the Raiders once more as #11 Tom Relf was called for holding after bringing down #92 Caly Robertson at 54:29. However Solway failed to capitalise on the opportunity, maintaining a 5-3 scoreline. Fans were spoiled with a beauty Michigan goal from #88 Kyle Carruth at 58:56, assisted by fellow GB U20 teammate #21 Torran Anderson to secure a 6-3 victory for the Sharks on home ice.
MVPs were awarded to #22 John Dunbar following his opening 2 goals for the Sharks. Meanwhile, #29 Jake Sylvester claimed the title for Romford, also for is 2 contributions to the scoreboard.
STATS –
Solway Sharks: John Dunbar 2+0, Nolan Gardiner 1+2, Torran Anderson 1+1, Lewis Young 1+0, Kyle Carruth 1+0, Caly Robertson 0+2, Liam Stenton 0+2, Olivier Arseneau 0+2, Kell Beattie 0+1, Joe Coulter 0+1, Callum Boyd 0+1
Romford Raiders: Jake Sylvester 2+0, Tom Palmer 1+0, Reed Morison 0+2, George Norcliffe 0+1, Tjay Anderson 0+1, Tom Relf `0+1