The Dynamic Property Services-sponsored Solway Sharks hosted the Swindon Wildcats at the Shark Tank on Saturday night, kicking off a high-stakes doubleheader weekend. With crucial points on the line, both teams approached the game cautiously at first, using the initial minutes to feel each other out. Early on, a heated exchange set the tone, culminating in a spirited fight between the Sharks’ Kell Beattie and the Wildcats’ Jake Bricknell.

At 10:42 of the first period, the Sharks broke the stalemate. Following a clean faceoff win, Liam Danskin expertly controlled the puck, finding Scott Henderson in the corner. Henderson then fed it out front to Mason Alderson, who skilfully found the top corner over goaltender Renny Marr’s shoulder, putting Solway up 1-0. Although Swindon pushed back, Sharks netminder Jordan Marr anchored his team with solid saves, preserving the Sharks’ 1-0 lead through the first intermission.

2nd period

In the second period, the Wildcats came out strong. Just over a minute in, Chris Jones capitalised on a precise passing sequence from Balint Pakozdi and Ed Bradley, tying the game. The teams continued to trade chances, with the Marr brothers showcasing exceptional goaltending on both ends. However, Swindon soon took advantage of a Sharks’ miscue, as Aaron Nell set up Jones on a 2-on-1, allowing him to bury his second goal of the night and give Swindon a 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.

3rd period

Entering the final period down by a goal, the Sharks displayed resilience, relentlessly pressing for the equaliser. Swindon’s Renny Marr stood tall amid mounting Sharks pressure, but Solway’s persistence eventually paid off. In a brilliant end-to-end effort, Mason Alderson slid home his second goal, tying the game 2-2 with under seven minutes remaining. Energised by the equaliser, the Sharks pressed on. With only 31 seconds left in regulation, Torran Anderson set up a play that saw Nolan Gardiner’s shot deflect into the air. John Dunbar was in perfect position to bat it out of mid-air and into the net, securing the Sharks’ 3-2 victory. The Sharks held off a last-minute Wildcats surge, clinching a hard-fought home win.

Man of the Match honours went to Mason Alderson for the Sharks, while Chris Jones took the accolade for Swindon.