The Hercules Ice Hockey Apparel sponsored Solway Sharks welcomed Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats to the Shark Tank, Calum Hepburn as the starting netminder for the first game of the weekend double header at the Shark Tank.

Both teams before faceoff paid respects to Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson.

Sharks score first but Wildcats get two in period one.

The Wildcats started brightly and created a few opportunities, but Sharks netminder Calum Hepburn was able to keep them out in the early moments of the first period.

Following some early Wildcat pressure, the Sharks capitalised on a misdirected pass and Nolan Gardiner’s goal, assisted by Scott Henderson, made it 1-0.

After falling behind by one goal, the Wildcats had a few chances to respond but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Wildcats did equalise after going on the powerplay with Russell Crowley, making the score 1-1.

Another powerplay goal for the Wildcats, just as the Sharks were coming back to full strength, made it 1-2 with a goal from Gael Lubwele.

Second period = Goals

The Wildcats started the period brightly and added the third goal with a goal for Chris Jones to make it 1-3. Just as quickly as that goal went in, the Wildcats got their fourth goal of the evening; this time it was Aaron Nell getting the puck past Calum Hepburn to make it 1-4.

Following the Wildcats’ two early goals, the Sharks began to get more puck possession, which was rewarded with a second goal, scored by John Dunbar and assisted by Craig Peacock and Kieran Hair, to make the score 2-4.

Both netminders were called upon and made some excellent stops as the period went to keep the scores the same as we approached the midway point. After two penalties for the Sharks and one for the Wildcats, Gael Lubwele scored for the Wildcats to make the score 2-5.

Straight after conceding, the Sharks got goal number three, as Scott Henderson scored after some nice puck work with an assist from Kell Beattie to make it 3-5.

Stevie Whitfield’s goal at the end of the second period gave the Wildcats their sixth goal of the night, bringing the score to 3-6.

Wildcats take the 2 points at the Shark Tank.

The Sharks started the period on the penalty kill and Wildcats got goal number seven with Tomasz Malasinski making it 3-7.

The Sharks attempted to create some opportunities during the four minutes that the Wildcats were on the penalty kill, but they were unable to score a goal while having the man advantage.

Back on 5 on 5 hockey, it was goal number four after some fine work from Sharks captain Struan Tonnar to make it 4-7.

As the third period came to a close, Sharks pushed and pushed but it was the Wildcats who got goal number eight, this time it was Sam Bullas to make it 4-8.

Sharks MoM – Kell Beattie

Wildcats MoM – Tomasz Malasinski