Sharks SNL 3-3 Dundee Comets
The Sharks SNL hosted the Dundee Comets at the Ice Bowl for what promised to be another close encounter for the home side against the as yet undefeated visitors.
Straight from the opening face off the Sharks went on the offence and nearly took the lead as Gordon Horne’s first-time snap shot shaved the paint work of Comets netminder Matthew Michie’s goal. The first period albeit relatively even in terms of play would end one nil in favour of the visitors when a weak breakout pass was gloved down by Comet’s Robbie Hill who found John Gordon unmarked at the back post to beat Shark’s netminder Calum Hepburn in the 14th minute.
The fairly even encounter would continue to see chances at both ends in the middle period and the experienced Comets doubled their lead when Callum Hill rifled home at the third attempt after Hepburn initially saved from Gordon and Hill in the 27th minute. The Comets goal seemed to spur the Sharks into a more aggressive offensive mode of play and just a minute later Calum Henderson took the transition pass from Jamie Kerr to drive wide. A crisp pass to Horne was touched off to Simon Robertson and he made no mistake in zipping the puck into the bottom corner of the Comets net giving Michie no chance. The Sharks pushed for an equaliser whilst trying to minimise the dangerous Comets counter attack but entered the final period trailing two goals to one.
The Sharks went at the Comets in search of the equaliser in the final period and drew a penalty from Comets Ben Edmonds to give themselves an ideal opportunity. Some toothless possession was broken down by Comets’ Craig Findlay and he sent away Willie Nicolson on the breakaway. The experienced Nicolson saw his shot well saved by Hepburn but made no mistake in slotting home his own rebound that fell kindly back on his stick.
As has been the case for the Sharks SNL so far this season, the young charges have learned the game is never over till the final buzzer. Back the Sharks came when Comets Gordon Nelson took a tripping penalty in the 52nd minute. The power play set-up saw Connor Speirs find Luke Houston who sent Horne hurtling down the left wing. The powerful Cumbrian beat his marker with ease and found the net by squeezing the puck under Michie’s arm from the angle.
The Shark’s now had the momentum which was briefly interrupted by a brief bout of boxing between Sharks captain Michael Corbett and Comets Kris Inglis. The Sharks didn’t let this break in play stop their momentum and when player coach Kerr took a time out at 57:36, that aura of confidence built over similar situations in the previous three games began to build.
The next minute saw Horne, Henderson and Robertson throw everything but the kitchen sink at Michie’s net and their pressure saw Comets Findlay visit the sin bin for tripping. The Comets managed to clear the initial phase of Sharks pressure and as Kerr sent Tom Watson breaking up the ice he sent netminder Hepburn to the bench to utilise the extra attacker and thus a six on four advantage. The Sharks turned the screw with Watson, Brunton and Horne working the puck around the Comets net, so much so that the Comets failed to pick up Sharks Robert Chalmers (pictured) who found himself unmarked in the slot. Horne’s pass would see Chalmers snap home the equaliser with half a minute remaining left on the clock.
The game ended three apiece with the Tam O Shanter Inn sponsored man of the match awards going to Comets Callum Hill and Sharks Calum Hepburn (saving 26 of 29 shots).
The Sharks SNL are on the road in their next match when they visit the Paisley Pirates. Face off on Sunday 18th October at the Braehead Arena is 6:00pm.
