The Dynamic property services sponsored Solway Sharks faced Swindon Wildcats in their 2nd road game on the bounce taking a 6-2 defeat, despite leading by 2 goals after the opening 20 minutes.
The Sharks travelled South without #16 Bailey Thomson, #37 Logan Reid, #55 Owen Rae and #88 Kyle Carruth whilst #15 Kieran Hair also missed out due to injury. It was a battle of the brothers in net as Solway opted for #33 Jordan Marr and the hosts gave #30 Renny Marr the start between the pipes.
1st period
The Sharks dominated early, firing shots at Marr through #43 Gardiner, however #49 Liam Danskin picked up a tripping penalty at 2:30 giving the Wildcats an early opportunity to capitalise. The Sharks quickly returned to the attack and a tip-in by #43 Nolan Gardiner following the snipe on the blue line from #10 Liam Stenton put the visitors ahead at 6:46.
Solway’s lead was later doubled as #19 Aaron Nell’s tripping call allowed #43 Nolan Gardiner to fire a one-timer over Marr’s shoulder after the feed from #10 Stenton again on the blue line. The Sharks continued to apply the pressure, but Swindon finally found their feet and prevented the visitors extending their lead for the remainder of the opening period.
2nd period
Swindon were determined to claw back a goal early in the middle frame; however, Solway displayed an excellent defensive performance as Jordan Marr made multiple saves in quick succession to retain the lead for his side. Neither side could find a way past the Marr brothers for over half of the 2nd period, but the hosts finally broke the deadlock at 32:30 through #19 Aaron Nell who fired the puck top-corner, assisted by #89 Tomasz Malasinski and #24 Tyler Plews to post the score at 1-2.
The Wildcats stepped up their offensive play, allowing Canadian import #26 Jake Bricknall to equalise at 36:26 after the feed from #24 Tyler Plews who picked up his 2nd assist of the evening. Solway found themselves a man short in the closing minutes of the second period as Captain #10 Liam Stenton was called for boarding Jones at 38:28. Seconds later, #21 Torran Anderson picked up an elbowing penalty, leaving the Sharks 3on5 momentarily. Swindon capitalised on the opportunity as #19 Aaron Nell rifled the puck past Marr at 39:39 to give the hosts the lead heading into the final period.
3rd period
The Wildcats wasted no time and extended their lead to 4-2 at 40:26 thanks to a one-timer by #11 Chris Jones on the powerplay. The Sharks quickly looked to answer back which resulted in #73 Ed Bradley picking up a tripping call at 45:55, however Solway failed to punish the Wildcats. Despite their multiple efforts through Gardiner, Dunbar and Alderson, Marr made the stops between the pipes for the hosts allowing them to clench onto their lead.
The Swindon Captain, #13 Sam Bullas was then handed a hooking penalty at 52:23 giving the visitors another power-play opportunity, although it was the Wildcats who picked up a short-handed marker at 53:38 as #19 Aaron Nell claimed his hat-trick goal. Swindon found themselves a player short yet again at 57:00 after #11 Jamie Smith caught #14 Lewis Young with a high stick and Martin Grubb opted to pull Marr for a 6on4 advantage. However, #19 Aaron Nell fired the puck from the neutral zone into the empty net at 57:36 to secure a 6-2 victory for the Wildcats after a slow start.
MVPs were awarded to Solway captain, #10 Liam Stenton following both a strong defensive performance and claiming 2 assists. Meanwhile, #24 Tyler Plews claimed the award for the Wildcats after picking up 2 assists on the opening Swindon goals.