Building Craftsmen Dumfries-sponsored Solway Sharks face their biggest game of the season this Saturday when Billingham Stars are the visitors to Dumfries Ice Bowl (7pm face off).
The Sharks have eleven league fixtures remaining and currently sit four points outside the playoff qualification spots – Saturday’s visitors are two points and two places better off in the standings making the match a virtual four-pointer.
Saturday’s match marks something of a homecoming for the Solway Sharks, having been on the road since 23 January with a 2-2-1 record in their five away games in that spell.
Last weekend the Sharks were on Teesside against this week’s opponent Billingham Stars for a Northern Cup match. Sharks had lost their previous three Cup matches ruling them out of the running for silverware, while Billingham had won their two Cup games including a 5-4 penalty shots success at Dumfries in November.
Sharks started with Kyle Johnston between the pipes for his first senior action of the season while icing a reduced 13-man bench. The Solway special teams were firing on all cylinders early on with powerplay goals from Joe Coulter (12.03) and Juraj Senko (23.02) taking full advantage of Billingham indiscretions for a 2-0 lead.
Billingham reduced the arrears early in the final period (43.43) but Johnston in the Sharks net was on great form with a total of 35 saves including a stunning diving stop when Stars seemed certain to score.
Inside the final five minutes a high sticking penalty against Sharks defenceman Stuart Andrews gave Billingham a rare powerplay chance, and their Swedish forward Dennis Bostrom scored from a narrow angle to level the game and force sudden-death overtime – a ruling which only applies to Cup games this season.
Both sides had chances in the extra session before Billingham snatched the win with James Moss’ goal at 61.57 to complete the home side’s comeback. Solway complete their Cup fixtures with home and away games with Widnes at the end of the season.
After the game Solway Sharks assistant coach Scott McMeeken said: “While the result didn’t have an impact on our season, it’s important to get into a good run with the playoffs on the horizon and several teams chasing the final spots.
“Tonight we used the opportunity to give Kyle his first start of the year. He has been very patient and waited for the opportunity and he didn’t let us down – he made some fantastic saves and showed what a great prospect his is.
“It’s disappointing to lose after being two goals up, but we move our focus to next weekend and a huge clash with Billingham in our barn on Saturday.
“Ourselves and Billingham are looking to make the top four and Saturday is arguably our biggest game of the season. The league table is extremely tight and a team going on a good run until the end of the season will climb the standings and that’s our aim.
“We’re looking forward to being back at home after a month away, with our own fans getting behind the team and everyone pulling together to get the club to the playoffs.”
Solway are away to league leaders Blackburn Hawks on Sunday night (5.45pm) in the second half of the weekend double header. Sharks beat Blackburn 5-3 in January to inflict only a second defeat on the Hawks in the last 18 months.
Saturday’s match at Dumfries Ice Bowl is at 7pm with doors open from 6pm. Tickets are available from Ice Bowl reception on the night priced at £8 adults, £5 concession and £16 for a family (2+3).
* Supporters are reminded that tickets for the NIHL Playoff Weekend are available for sale at the club table on Saturday. A weekend pass is £30 adults and £15 under 16s and this covers all six games in the NIHL Moralee and Laidler playoffs. Tickets must be paid for on the night, and the club are only able to accept cash payments. The NIHL Playoff weekend is at Sheffield on 9 & 10 April.
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