The Hercules Ice Hockey Apparel sponsored Solway Sharks took on the Telford
Tigers Saturday evening at the Shark Tank. With a playoff position on the horizon it was a massive opportunity for the Sharks to gain two important points in the
standings.
This match marked a record breaking attendance for the home crowd which saw 901
passionate fans show up in support for their home team. The Sharks seemed to play
off the emotion and energy from the crowd as they would quickly get off to a 3-0 lead
after just the first 8 minutes of play in the first period. With goals from Olivier
Arseneau, Craig Peacock and Struan Tonnar it would seem to be all Sharks from the
drop off the puck. The second period would prove to tell a different story as the
Tigers came out on a mission. Scott McKenzie and Vladlimir Luka would strike for
the away side to bring the game within one goal. Olivier Arseneau capitalised on a
beautiful Connor Henderson pass to give the Sharks a 4-2 lead not long after.
However, the Tigers would continue to push back in the later stages of the period
and not only come back but get their first lead of the game as the teams would head
into the third period with a 6-4 scoreline for the Tigers. The third period would see the
game go out of reach for the Sharks as the Tigers continued to pile on the goal
scoring. In a disappointing turn of events, the game would finish up with a final score
of 10-4 in favour of the Telford Tigers. A silver lining in the evening was when Logan
Reid entered the goal in the final minutes of play for the Sharks to see his first NIHL
playing time in net.
The Sharks then travelled to Slough on Sunday to face the Bees in what would prove
to be a season-defining match up. The importance of this match up could be seen in
the first period as both teams seemed to be feeling one another out. However, it was
the Bees who would strike first through a goal from Gabaj. The Sharks would strike
back in the second period after Nolan Gardiner capped off a nice passing play from
Craig Peacock and John Dunbar. Goals from Morris and Balaz would see the Bees
regain a lead at 3-1. Nolan Gardiner would score again in the later stages of the
second period to put the game within one goal. It all came down to the third period
for the Sharks. Liam Stenton capitalised on a five on three powerplay to lock the
score up at 3-3. After a Sharks penalty the Bees would take advantage on the
powerplay with a goal from Vitali to give the Bees a 4-3 lead. With time running out in
the final period of play, the Sharks would pull netminder Calum Hepburn in hopes of
a game tying goal. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and the Sharks fell short seeing their
playoff hopes disappear.
The Sharks return to action at home this Saturday, March. 30th at 6:00 pm when
they faceoff against the Hull Seahawks in the final game of the season. This match
will mark a special milestone for Dumfries own Ross “The Boss” Murray as he will
dress in his 400th career game for the Sharks. This will also be Murray’s last game
with the club as he announced his retirement for the end of this season.
Tickets are available now either via the clubs website, https://sharksihc.com/tickets/, or in person at the Ice Bowl. Lets pack the Shark Tank!
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