Solway Sharks Peterborough Phantoms 11.01.25
The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks returned back to Dumfries Ice Bowl to face the Peterborough Phantoms in game 1 of a double header weekend on home ice, after taking a narrow 2-3 win over the Steeldogs on the road. Despite a gridlocked score for the majority of play, the Phantoms clenched a 3-5 victory against the Sharks.
Solway iced a squad of 17+2 as #71 Craig Peacock remained in the squad to cover for the GB u20 Sharks’ absences, whilst #25 Connor Henderson made his return from injury. However, the hosts were short on defencemen as both #55 Owen Rae and #53 Kian Shevlin iced for their respective 2-way sides. Meanwhile, the Phantoms also travelled with 17+2 as #5 Bailey Challans was called up from Nottingham Lions and #63 Zaine McKenzie from Coventry Blaze to bolster their defence. However, #29 Cameron Hough missed out to serve his ban.
1st period – (0-1)
The Phantoms began the game in control of possession, but #33 Jordan Marr reacted quickly to prevent the visitors claiming an early lead. Momentum then shifted in the Sharks favour as officials let play flow with minimal stoppages, allowing imports #22 John Dunbar and #43 Nolan Gardiner to link up, but fellow Canadian #30 Hayden Lavigne matched their efforts to maintain a goal-less scoreline.
Solway continued to pressurise Peterborough’s defence unit as they forced play into the Phantoms zone for sustained periods of time, yet they soaked up the pressure well on multiple occasions, denying the Sharks’ firepower. However, against the run of play, Phantoms Captain #19 Luke Ferrara fired the puck past Marr on a breakaway at 19:24, seeing Peterborough gain a narrow lead after the opening 20 minutes of play.
2nd period – (2-1)
Solway quickly looked to answer back in the middle frame, through the 3rd line but again, #30 Lavigne made the stops for Peterborough. The Phantoms soon doubled their lead as #96 Jarvis Hunt redirected #4 Nojus Venskutonis’ original shot with a tip in the crease at 24:23 to leave Sharks trailing by 2 goals.
Solway were handed the first powerplay opportunity of the evening at 26:14 as #23 Zaine McKenzie sat for tripping, but Phantoms defended their lead well. The Sharks continued to work chances in the offensive zone, but it was Lavigne who made the overall difference for the visitors who were heavily outshot in the 2nd period.
The efforts from the Solway forwards were eventually converted into an opening goal at 33:30 as #22 John Dunbar slotted the rebound past Lavigne after #43 Nolan Gardiner’s initial shot from the left face-off circle, to halve the deficit. Sharks retained possession following the first marker through #16 Bailey Thomson which then caused commotion in the crease after his shot on goal. Several players battled for the puck as Phantoms were desperate to clear but a cool, calm and collected #22 John Dunbar fired top shelf from point over the traffic to claim the equalising goal for Solway at 35:45.
The consistent threat posed by the Sharks on the Phantoms resulted in #4 Nojus Venskutonis being called for slashing at 38:36, putting Peterborough a man short momentarily. The hosts failed to capitalise on the advantage before the end of the 2nd period, resulting in the score remaining 2-2.
3rd period – (1-3)
Solway looked to capitalise on the remainder of the powerplay, but Phantoms tied the forwards up along the boards to chew the clock down. Peterborough came close to grabbing the go-ahead goal at 45:03 after Speirs’ effort, but Marr held firmly tight onto the puck forcing the officials to wave off the goal.
The Sharks were awarded another powerplay opportunity at 46:14 after confusion with changes on the Phantoms bench, resulted in #13 Connor Glossop sitting a bench minor penalty at 46:14. Despite Solway cycling the puck around the zone, Peterborough’s PK unit held on well to retain a 2-2 scoreline. However, within the same minute of Phantoms returning to full strength, Sharks worked a play to break the deadlock. Solway’s #43 Nolan Gardiner fired 5-hole on Lavigne after the feed from behind the goal by #22 John Dunbar, putting Sharks ahead for the first time at 48:52.
However, the Phantoms reacted quickly and answered back through #38 Duncan Speirs with a shot from the right wing at 51:25, assisted by #91 Nathan Salem to equalise. Solway were handed their first penalty of the evening at 56:29 after #63 Joe Coulter received a double minor for high sticking, leaving Sharks on the PK for the remainder of the game.
The hosts were then forced to go 3on5 at 58:06 with a tied scoreline after #6 Stuart Kerr was called for delaying the game. Despite their defensive efforts, the Phantoms clenched a go-ahead goal through #19 Luke Ferrara to give Peterborough the edge in the dying moments, forcing the Sharks coaching staff to call a time-out. The visitors punished Solway further at the death as #19 Luke Ferrara claimed his hat-trick at 59:34, sealing a 3-5 win for the Phantoms.
MVPs were awarded to #22 John Dunbar for Solway, following his involvement in all 3 goals. Meanwhile, #30 Hayden Lavigne was awarded the title for Peterborough after his consistent shot-blocking for Peterborough.
Solway Sharks vs Peterborough Phantoms 12.01.25
The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks faced the Peterborough Phantoms for the 2nd consecutive evening in the Sharktank on Sunday evening, taking a narrow 2-3 loss to the visitors who picked up a 4-point weekend on the road.
Solway iced a squad of 17+2 as defenceman #53 Kian Shevlin was added into the lineup and #71 Craig Peacock laced up for the final time in anticipation for the GB Sharks’ returns. However, the Sharks were without #15 Kieran Hair and #55 Owen Rae in addition to the 3 GB u20 forwards. Peterborough lined up with 18+2 as #29 Cameron Hough returned back onto the first line after serving his ban. Both starting netminders got a rest on Sunday evening as the back-ups; Calum Hepburn and Luke Clark were given the start for either side.
1st period –
The Phantoms got off to the best start possible as #38 Duncan Speirs cleaned up the rebound after #91 Nathan Salem’s original shot to put the visitors ahead at 1:01. Peterborough’s early pressure forced #68 Callum Boyd to sit for hooking at 3:19 but the Sharks utilised a strong PK unit to withhold a 1 goal deficit. The Phantoms then repayed the favour at 6:28 after #24 Austin Mitchell-King was called for hooking #68 Boyd on the breakaway, but similarly to their opponents, Solway failed to convert their chance.
Solway looked to make use of their shaken-up line formations, but #50 Luke Clark soaked up Gardiner and Alderson’s attempts. Peterborough reversed the flow of momentum and created chances of their own, but Solway’s #10 Liam Stenton applied the hip check on #8 Louie Kynaston to deny his offensive threat.
Sharks found themselves on the PK once more in the openning period as #9 Mason Alderson was called for cross-checking at 17:32, but a series of huge stops from #30 Calum Hepburn ensured Solway remained only a single goal behind Peterborough after 20 minutes.
2nd period –
Solway looked to answer back quickly, but Clark made various saves to retain Peterborough’s edge on the scoreline. The hosts were handed a prolonged powerplay opportunity after #91 Nathan Salem sat 5 minutes for boarding at 26:14. The Sharks cycled the puck around the zone and capitalised through #71 Craig Peacock, claiming his first goal since his brief return, after he cleaned up the rebound from #43 Nolan Gardiner’s initial strike from point to level the score at 28:38.
Solway eagerly looked to take the lead as Salem still sat out, but #9 Mason Alderson returned to the box for interference at 30:56, forcing 4on4 play before a shortened powerplay for the Phantoms. Neither team could capitalise on the man advantage and play soon returned to 5on5 with both netminders making the stops to maintain a level score.
The Phantoms clenched a late marker in the 2nd period after a breakaway was converted over Hepburn’s pads by #24 Austin Mitchell-King following the feed from #38 Duncan Speirs at 38:02. Solway’s #43 Nolan Gardiner fired a final shot on Clark, but he made the catcher save to allow Peterborough to take a single goal lead into the 3rd period.
3rd period –
The Sharks controlled possession early in the final frame and capitalised on the run of play after a saucer pass from #22 John Dunbar was slotted past Clark by #43 Nolan Gardiner at 44:23, levelling the game once more. However, Solway handed Peterborough a chance to recover their lead shortly after as #10 Liam Stenton sat for high sticks at 46:59, but another strong defensive performance was enough to deter the Phantoms forwards.
Solway fired multiple efforts on Clark and upped the offensive pressure, forcing Peterborough to ice the puck several times in quick succession. Sharks landed themselves with another penalty to kill at 53:21 after confusion on the changes resulted in a too many men call. Just 30 seconds later, #96 Jarvis Hunt slotted the loose change past Hepburn after the shot from #29 Cam Hough on the right wing to give Phantoms a 2-3 lead. However, Peterborough then found themselves a player short at 55:59 as #24 Austin Mitchell-King was called for hooking a second time.
Solway continued to fire shots on Clark, but he made the stops for his side although moments later, he picked up an infraction himself after taking the net off at 58:35. Sharks then called a brief timeout, opting to leave #30 Calum Hepburn on the bench to go 6on4 whilst #13 Connor Glossop sat for Peterborough. Sharks came agonisingly close to an equaliser after #12 Kell Beattie let one rip from point, but again Clark made the stop to secure a 4point weekend for the Phantoms on the road.
MVPs were awarded to #71 Craig Peacock after scoring in his final game with the Sharks, whilst #38 Duncan Speirs picked up the title for Peterborough following his consistent offensive pressure.
This weekend, the Solway Sharks are back at the Shark Tank, ready to take on the Bristol Pitbulls in what promises to be an electrifying clash. Having faced each other three times already this season, the Sharks hold the upper hand with two victories and will aim to extend their winning streak against the Pitbulls.
The action kicks off at 5:30 pm, with the puck drop set for 7:00 pm sharp at the Dumfries Ice Bowl. Tickets are on sale now—grab yours online at sharksihc.com/tickets or in person at the Dumfries Ice Bowl.
Don’t miss the chance to rally behind the Sharks as they fight to bounce back after a challenging weekend. Bring your energy and passion to the stands, and let’s create an unforgettable atmosphere to fuel the Sharks to victory!
