The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks returned to home ice, following a dramatic 6-5 shootout loss against the Hull Seahawks the previous weekend. A strong start in the opening moments led Solway to a 7-4 victory, featuring a Caly Robertson hat-trick, despite Sheffield clawing back the scoreline to 5-4 early in the final frame.
Solway lined up with 16+2 as #16 Bailey Thomson returned to the team, whilst all other 2-way players remained out of the squad. Meanwhile, Sheffield travelled with an almost full bench of 19+2 as multiple 2-way juniors returned into the lineup, alongside #42 Tim Smith, but #11 Fin Ulrick dropped out from the squad. Solway gave #33 Jordan Marr the start between the pipes, matched up against #30 Ben Norton for Sheffield.
1st period – (4-0)
The Sharks dominated possession early and converted their offensive pressure through their first line as #92 Caly Robertson fired over Norton’s pad after a brief scramble in the crease to put Solway ahead at 2:55, assisted by linemates #43 Nolan Gardiner and #22 John Dunbar. The hosts maintained momentum, allowing #12 Kell Beattie to fire a rocket of a one-timer from the slot after the thread from #16 Bailey Thomson at 3:47, doubling Solway’s advantage.
Sheffield were forced to take a penalty to break down the Sharks attack, seeing #29 Nathan Ripley sit for hooking at 4:36, putting Solway on the man advantage. A strong effort from #43 Nolan Gardiner was spilled by Norton and #92 Caly Robertson bagged his 2nd of the game on the rebound attempt at 5:58 to send Solway 3 goals clear. Steeldogs defence stepped up and denied the Sharks on numerous occasions as they fired shots on Norton through each line.
Solway handed Sheffield their first major opportunity of the game at 13:37 as #21 Torran Anderson was called for interference, yet a strong PK unit for Sharks ensured Marr retained his shut-out. The visitors’ discipline slipped once again at 17:23 as both #72 Ivan Björkly-Nordström and #42 Tim Smith sat for unsportsmanlike conduct and tripping respectively.
Within the same minute, Solway capitalised on the 5on3 play as #12 Kell Beattie fired his second one-timer of the evening on one-knee past Norton, assisted by #22 John Dunbar and #5 Olivier Arseneau at 17:47, extending the lead further to 4 goals. The hosts retained possession in the final moments of the period, yet Norton matched their offensive efforts to prevent further damage for the Steeldogs as the period closed out with a 4-goal lead to Solway.
2nd period – (1-2)
The Steeldogs returned for the 2nd period with visible intent to reduce the deficit, but Marr stood tall for Solway to maintain their strong lead. A connection between the Canadian forwards for Solway saw the hosts go 5 goals clear, after #43 Nolan Gardiner tipped #22 Dunbar’s initial shot over Norton’s blocker at 24:31 to the delight of the Sharks fans.
However, moments later #14 Lewis Young was called for elbows at 25:22, forcing Solway to defend their lead a man short. Seconds after killing the first penalty, #43 Nolan Gardiner then sat for hooking on 28 minutes, putting the PK unit under pressure once again. Solway returned to full strength and tested Norton quickly, but he denied the Sharks’ 3rd line. Discipline continued to slip for the hosts as #22 John Dunbar sat for tripping at 34:45 but Sheffield failed to capitalise on their chance.
However, a 4th penalty kill in quick succession for the Sharks proved too much to overcome as #37 Elmeri Hällfors deflected the puck past Marr after the initial strike from #72 Ivan Björkly-Nordström at 38:35. The final penalty of the period was handed to #43 Nolan Gardiner at 39:13, which allowed Sheffield to reduce the deficit further through #8 Walker Sommer with a one-timer at 39:26, posting the score at 5-2 after 40 minutes.
3rd period – (2-2)
The Sharks claimed initial possession after the face-off, however #37 Elmeri Hällfors fired a one-timer, following the feed from #72 Ivan Björkly-Nordström at 43:17 to put Sheffield just 2 goals behind. Just 8 seconds later, #5 Brady Doxey fired low under Marr’s five-hole to make it 4 unanswered goals for Steeldogs with momentum sat in the visitors’ favour early in the final frame.
Sharks handed Sheffield a chance to equalise shortly after as #12 Kell Beattie was called for high sticks at 45:54 but the defence coped well to deny the Steeldogs offence. Solway’s youngest Shark, #16 Bailey Thomson claimed a break, deking past the d-man to slot the puck 5-hole under Norton at 50:53, to ensure Solway’s lead.
Solway continued to dominate possession, but Norton stood tall to give Sheffield a chance of narrowing the scoreline approaching the final 5 minutes. However, #92 Caly Robertson fired Solway’s 7th and his hat-trick goal simultaneously at 57:22 with a lovely solo finish, assisted by #10 Liam Stenton and #43 Nolan Gardiner.
Tensions spilled in the dying moments between #8 Walker Sommer and #21 Torran Anderson, seeing them both head to the box for roughing at 59:26. Neither side found a way past either netminder late in the period to finish the game with a 7-4 victory to the Sharks.
MVPs were awarded to #12 Kell Beattie for his consistent effort across both ends of the ice, picking up 2 crucial goals for Solway. Meanwhile, #6 Ben Morgan claimed the title for the Steeldogs after his defensive breakdowns of play against the Sharks.
STATS –
Solway Sharks: Caly Robertson 3+1, Kell Beattie 2+0, Nolan Gardiner 1+3, Bailey Thomson 1+1, John Dunbar 0+3, Mason Alderson 0+2, Olivier Arseneau 0+1, Scott Henderson 0+1, Connor Henderson 0+1, Liam Stenton 0+1
Sheffield Steeldogs: Elmeri Hällfors 2+1, Walker Sommer 1+0, Brady Doxey 1+0, Ivan Björkly-Nordström 0+3, Johnathan Kirk 0+2, Sam Cooper 0+1