The Hercules Ice Hockey Apparel sponsored Solway Sharks come up empty handed in a weekend of tight matches as the race for the playoffs heats up.
Saturday night saw the Solway Sharks take on the Raiders with both teams looking to
secure the last few postseason playoff spots as the business end of the season approaches.
It was a tight start as both teams tried to sound each other out, but it was the home side that would open the scoring when Nolan Gardiner was able to force home in front of the Raiders net. Raiders managed to tie things up only a few minutes later in a very similar fashion when a ruck of players in front of Calum Hepburn saw the puck drop to a Raiders stick and they made no mistake from close range. It was the away side that would take the lead before the first period expired when a play below the goal line was passed out to Coy Prevost who converted high past Hepburn and took the lead at the end of the first period despite Sharks best efforts to tie it up.
With just over 5 minutes played in the second period the visitors extended their lead, when a tight angled shot somehow found its way past Hepburn, the Sharks found themselves on the back foot again when Kell Beattie was assessed a 5 minute major penalty, and although the Sharks battled hard to keep the Raiders at bay it was only seconds after returning to full strength the Raiders converted past Hepburn to make it 4-1. Gardiner again pulled one back for the Sharks on a 5 v 3 power play to give the home side a chance going into the final period.
Sharks started the brighter in the third period and they were rewarded when an Olivier
Arseneau shot was deflected out to Craig Peacock and he fired the Sharks back to within 1
goal. With 4 and a half minutes left to play Sharks were harshly called for a hooking penalty and the Raiders were given the opportunity to extend their lead and did so with Prevost converting. Incessant Sharks pressure in the final few minutes was unrewarded as the Raiders managed to fend off the Sharks, hold onto the 4-2 lead and ensure the 2 points
returned home to Essex with them.
Despite a strong effort the next night vs the Hull Seahawks the Sharks fell 5-4 in a tight
match. The Sharks return to home ice this Saturday March. 2nd vs the Leeds Knights.
Puck
drop is at 6:00 pm. Get your tickets now either via the clubs website,
https://sharksihc.com/tickets/, or in person at the Ice Bowl.
