Berkshire Bees vs Solway Sharks 12.10.24
The Solway Sharks travelled South on Saturday evening to take on the Berkshire Bees for the first time this season, facing a narrow 5-3 victory after the hosts clenched an empty netter in the final moments of the game.
The Sharks lined up with the addition of #88 Kyle Carruth and #9 Mason Alderson from the previous weekend, whilst #15 Kieran Hair, #16 Bailey Thomson and #55 Owen Rae remained on the injury list. Solway opted for #33 Jordan Marr between the pipes once again, backed up by #37 Logan Reid. Meanwhile #42 Max Wright was given the start for the Bees, following the departure of Brett Shepherd.
1st period –
Despite the long road trip South, the Sharks made their presence known early in Slough and immediately fired shots on Wright, forcing #21 Marcel Balaz to give up a hooking penalty at 1:34. Sharks skipper #10 Liam Stenton made the breakthrough just a second after the powerplay opportunity to give Solway a 1-0 lead after just 3:35. However, the Sharks goal scorer found himself in the box for tripping soon after, allowing #21 Marcel Balaz to return the favour for the Bees at 6:11 to equalise.
Both sides continued to battle for possession throughout the opening 20 minutes and were an even match-up for each other as the officials allowed the game to flow for the majority of the 1st period. The Sharks created multiple chances through the ever-threatening first line of Dunbar, Robertson and Gardiner, having almost double the amount of shots on goal, although the scoreline remained equal at 1-1 heading into the middle frame.
2nd period –
The Bees returned for the 2nd period eager to claim the lead for the first time in the game, causing a miscommunication between the Sharks bench; #88 Kyle Carruth sat a bench minor penalty for Solway at 22:13 after having too many players on the ice. Berkshire’s #21 Marcel Balaz claimed his 2nd of the evening, flicking the puck backhand into the net on the back door after #33 Marr spilled the initial rebound.
Another penalty for the Sharks at 24:54 on #6 Stuart Kerr for hooking ended in the same result for the hosts. Another clinical play on the advantage from #21 Marcel Balaz, assisted by #9 Vanya Antonov, who fired over Marr’s glove at 25:30 extended the lead to 2 goals for the Bees. Berkshire landed themselves a player short at 26:48 as #2 Adam Rosbottom was called for tripping, however the Sharks failed to reduce the deficit.
Solway continued to apply pressure on the Bees for the second half of the middle frame, which eventually paid off at 34:48. Sharks Captain #10 Liam Stenton claimed his 2nd marker of the evening after firing from the left wing over Wright’s shoulder, assisted by Canadian imports #5 Olivier Arseneau and #22 John Dunbar. The visitors swarmed the Bees zone in the final minutes of the period, but a strong defensive shift from Berkshire prevented Solway equalising.
3rd period –
The Sharks found themselves on the back-foot shortly after puck drop as #14 Lewis Young sat 2 minutes for tripping, however a strong performance on the blue line denied another power-play opportunity for the Bees. Solway pushed for a more attacking presence, which Berkshire later capitalised on at 46:17 as #19 Will Stead cleaned up the rebound following #16 Adam Erskine’s initial shot, posting the score 4-2 in favour to the hosts.
Solway created multiple chances but failed to find a way past Wright who was putting in all the stops for the Bees in the crease. However, on his return back into the squad, #9 Mason Alderson fired wide of Wright’s catcher from point at 54:57, assisted by #10 Liam Stenton and #43 Nolan Gardiner to reduce the deficit back to a 1-goal game inside the final 5 minutes.
The Sharks opted to call a time-out at 58:40, which saw #33 Jordan Marr remain on the bench in favour of an extra attacker as Solway looked to level the score. Despite multiple blocks by #5 Olivier Arseneau on the blue line, #23 Dominik Gabaj sealed the victory for the Bees at 59:47 with an empty-net goal. Tensions spilled simultaneously, which resulted in 4on4 play for the remaining seconds of the game as both #21 Torran Anderson and #74 Liam Morris were sent to the penalty box.
MVPs were awarded to Solway Skipper #10 Liam Stenton following his prolific offensive performance for the Sharks. Meanwhile, #21 Marcel Balaz claimed the title for the Berkshire Bees after securing a hat-trick for his side.
Solway Sharks vs Sheffield Steeldogs 13.10.24
The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks returned to home ice on Sunday evening following 3 straight road games but failed to claim a win over the visitors as they took a 1-6 victory in the Shark Tank.
The Sharks lined up with the same squad they travelled South with on Saturday, giving #33 Jordan Marr the nod between the pipes once again, backed up by u19 #37 Logan Reid. Meanwhile, the Sheffield Steeldogs opted for #30 Dan Norton in goal for the 4th consecutive game.
1st period –
The Steeldogs claimed early possession in the opening period however the Sharks fought back applying their own offensive pressure on Norton. However, it was the Steeldogs who made the first breakthrough at 6:46 after #37 Elmeri Hallförs overturned the puck and fired top corner past Marr from the left wing, giving Sheffield the lead.
The Sharks looked to quickly answer back, utilising the firepower of the first line through #43 Nolan Gardiner but Norton made the stops to retain the edge for the visitors. The first penalty of the game was handed to Sheffield’s #29 Nathan Ripley for hooking, but the hosts failed to punish the Steeldogs on the man advantage. Solway’s leading goal-scorer #43 Nolan Gardiner then returned the favour for the visitors after he was called for interference at 19:45.
2nd period –
Despite starting the period short-handed, the Sharks prevented the Steeldogs doubling their lead early in the middle frame after a strong shift from Skipper, #10 Liam Stenton. Solway’s biggest chance of the period came from #21 Torran Anderson after he claimed a breakaway, but Norton made the stop against the near post to deny an equaliser.
Sheffield put their advantage at risk at 31:04 as #22 Ollie Turner sat for cross-checking, however the Sharks failed to utilise their chance and failed to find a way past #30 Norton. The Steeldogs resumed the offensive pressure once the penalty expired and later doubled their lead through assistant captain, #5 Brady Doxey who fired wide of Marr from point assisted by #71 Jack Brammer at 36:23. The Sharks power-play unit was in action once again at 38:03 after #18 Sam Tremblay was called for tripping late in the middle frame.
3rd period –
The Steeldogs saw off the remainder of Tremblay’s infraction and he quickly assisted Sheffield to their 3rd goal after #13 Morgan Clarke-Pizzo slotted the puck past the line following the feed from #37 Elmeri Hallförs on the left wing. The visitors found themselves a player short once again at 43:59 as #9 Tom Barry was handed a tripping penalty. History repeated itself for the Sharks as they failed to punish Sheffield during their power-play.
Sheffield maintained their attacking force in the Solway zone, forcing #21 Torran Anderson to give away a hooking call at 50:43 which the Sharks killed off successfully thanks to multiple saves from #33 Jordan Marr. The visitors added another marker to the scoreline at 55:59 as #71 Jack Brammer tucked away the finish for Sheffield after the initial breakout by #98 Tate Shudra. Frustration hit the Sharks as they fell 4 behind, seeing #12 Kell Beattie sit 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct simultaneously.
Just 39 seconds later, #98 Tate Shudra claimed a goal of his own, assisted by imports #18 Sam Tremblay and #8 Walker Sommer, pushing the Steeldogs 5 goals clear after 56:38 of play. Sheffield sent a final shot past Marr at 59:15 via #29 Nathan Ripley with a one-timer after the feed by #20 Jonathan Philips. However, Solway claimed a consolation goal with just 6 seconds remaining thanks to a strike by #14 Lewis Young from a tight angle on the left wing, assisted by #88 Kyle Carruth, concluding the game with a 1-6 victory to the Sheffield Steeldogs.
MVPs were awarded to Solway’s #21 Torran Anderson after applying consistent pressure on the Steeldogs. Meanwhile, Sheffield’s #30 Ben Norton claimed the title for the visitors following a superb performance in between the pipes to deny the Sharks until the final moment.
The Sharks will look to return to winning ways as they are set to take on the Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday evening in the Shark Tank. Doors open at 5:30pm for a 7:00pm face-off at the Dumfries Ice Bowl – tickets are available now from the official Solway Sharks IHC website, https://sharksihc.com/tickets/, or in person at the Dumfries Ice Bowl.
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