Shark Juniors in City of Discovery

The new season got underway for both Under 12 and Under 20 teams from local Ice Hockey club Solway Sharks Juniors last weekend with a visit to Dundee.
First to hit the ice were the Under 12s, who took an early lead from an unassisted Kyle Carruth goal. Sadly the youngest sharks could not maintain this lead, and despite another goal, from Niall Duignan this time, they were soon overcome by a Dundee team that was not only greater in numbers but far more experienced.
Much of the game was in the Solway end, and despite the best efforts of Brodie McGinty making his Solway debut in goal, the score continued to tot up in Dundee’s favour. The team rallied and defended as much as they could, but in the end they succumbed to a hefty defeat. Coach Craig Jackson said, “We were outplayed for most of the game, but I was impressed by the resilience and determination of the team. We have identified areas for improvement, and I am looking forward to seeing performance develop and results improve as the season continues.” Brodie McGinty was awarded Man of the Match for Solway.
Next up were the Solway Under 20s. This proved to be a much closer game, with both teams keen for a win to open their season. Dundee opened the scoring, only for Luke Houston to pull the score back level with an unassisted goal. Despite some robust defending, Dundee scored again, finishing the first period with a 2 – 1 lead. 12 seconds into the second period Arran Shankland slotted home a Scott Henderson pass to draw the scores even, only for Dundee to reply within a minute and take the lead again. Scott Henderson was next to find the net for Solway, from Tom Watson, to even the scores again at 3 all. End to end physical play saw both teams giving it everything, with Dundee scoring once more to end the second period 4 goals to 3 ahead.
Not disheartened, the Sharks came out ready for action in the third, only for Dundee to slot another past Callum Hepburn who was working hard in the Solway goal, stretching their lead to 2. The Sharks refused to be bowed, dug deep, and their sustained effort was rewarded when Tom Watson scored 10 minutes from the end, closely followed by Stuart Kerr capitalizing on a power play to make the scores even at 5 all. The score stood, amongst a frenzy of shots from both teams, until 4 minutes from the end when Dundee again took the lead. Despite the best efforts of the Sharks this score remained, and the game finished 6 – 5 to Dundee. Man of the Match for Solway was Scott Henderson
Coach Jamie Thomson said after the game, “I am really proud of the team, they put in a great performance, and I am really happy with the way every one of them played. It was a very close game against great opposition, and I am feeling confident about the rest of the season.”