Swindon Wildcats vs Solway Sharks 07.12.24
The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks travelled South on Saturday evening to face Swindon Wildcats for their first game of a double road-game weekend but failed to post a marker on the scoresheet which saw the hosts claim a 3-0 victory.
The Sharks travelled with 14+2, missing key forwards #9 Mason Alderson and #21 Torran Anderson through injury, whilst #68 Callum Boyd and #30 Calum Hepburn were unable to travel leaving Solway with an uphill battle from the offset. Meanwhile, Swindon lined up with 18+2 and opted to start #30 Renny Marr, which saw a battle of the brothers in net as #33 Jordan Marr guarded the opposite pipes.
1st period –
Sharks started the period with possession and fired a series of shots on Marr, but he soaked up the pressure to deny an early lead for the visitors. Momentum shifted after the Wildcats applied the forechecking pressure, which forced #12 Kell Beattie to sit the first penalty of the evening at 7:29 for tripping. Despite Wildcats having one of the most effective PP units, the Sharks prevented Swindon claiming the opening goal.
However, after consistent pressure from Swindon’s first line, Head Coach #19 Aaron Nell capitalised on the rebound from #3 Balint Pakozdi’s initial shot at 12:45 to give the hosts an advantage. The Wildcats looked to claw a 2nd strike in quick succession, but a strong defensive performance from the Sharks was enough to break down Swindon’s chances and keep Solway just a goal away from equalising the scoreline looking ahead to the 2nd period.
2nd period –
Both sides returned for the middle frame eager to contribute to the scoreboard, yet both Marr brothers made the stops down either ends down the ice. Solway gave the Wildcats another advantage at 26:33 as #49 Liam Danskin was called for holding, but another strong PK unit denied the Swindon offence. The Sharks continued to work chances on Marr, although he matched their efforts to retain his shutout so far.
Tensions rose during the 2nd period, which resulted in #63 Joe Coulter eventually sit for roughing at 31:11 putting the Sharks at risk of conceding once again. It was third time lucky for the Wildcats on the PP after #72 Glenn Billing fired a one-timer from the crease past Marr from #3 Balint Pakozdi and #71 Edgars Bebris at 32:44 to double Swindon’s lead. Solway continue to create chances, but their final shots failed to find a way past Marr for the remainder of the 2nd period, seeing Swindon take a 2-0 advantage into the final frame.
3rd period –
Swindon quickly extended their lead to 3 goals in the opening minutes of the 3rd period after #26 Jake Bricknell cleaned up the loose change off his initial breakaway strike at 41:03, assisted by #71 Edgars Bebris. Moments later, goal-scorer #72 Glenn Billing was handed a tripping penalty at 41:23, putting Solway on their first powerplay opportunity of the evening. Despite multiple efforts from the Sharks forwards, Marr stood strong for the hosts and prevented Solway reducing the deficit through the extra skater.
Swindon continued to dominate for the remainder of the period, yet the Sharks fired multiple attempts on Marr in hopes of a consolation goal. Solway landed themselves on a 3on5 penalty kill for 90 seconds in the closing minutes as both #43 Nolan Gardiner and #5 Olivier Arseneau sat for holding at 57:12 and 57:42 respectively. However, a strong shift for the PK units denied the Wildcats a 4th marker before the buzzer sounded.
MVPs were awarded to Solway’s #12 Kell Beattie for a strong performance in both zones. Meanwhile, #30 Renny Marr claimed the title for Swindon after his shut-out performance against his brother’s side.
STATS –
Swindon Wildcats: Aaron Nell 1+0, Glenn Billing 1+0, Jake Bricknell 1+0, Balint Pakozdi 0+2, Edgars Bebris 0+2, Tomasz Malasinski 0+1, Chris Jones 0+1
Bristol Pitbulls vs Solway Sharks 08.12.24
The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks completed their weekend of road games with a thrilling 4-5 overtime victory against the Bristol Pitbulls in the Pound on Sunday evening, featuring a stellar performance from #22 John Dunbar.
The Sharks travelled with 14+2, the same squad as the previous evening in Swindon, still missing key forwards #9 Mason Alderson and #21 Torran Anderson through injury, whilst #68 Callum Boyd and #30 Calum Hepburn were unable to travel. Meanwhile, Bristol faced challenges of their own, lining up also with 14+2 as their top points scorer #52 Nick Pryce was sidelined due to injury and #59 Ewan Hill was struck with illness. Solway opted for regular starter #33 Jordan Marr, whilst #33 Tommy Nappier got the nod between the pipes for Bristol.
1st period –
Sharks won the initial face-off and maintained puck possession, controlling the tempo of play early through Stenton and Beattie. Solway created multiple chances, eager to take the edge, but Nappier made the difference for Bristol who struggled to find their way in the opening minutes. However, Pitbulls Captain #24 Tanner Butler claimed a wraparound goal against the run of play at 12:44 to give the hosts the lead.
Solway then gave away the first penalty of the evening after #12 Kell Beattie was called for cross-checking at 15:46. However, just 5 seconds later the penalty was cancelled out as #77 Bayley Harewood sat for the same offence. Neither side could capitalise through 4on4 play and the score remained 1-0 in favour to the hosts after the opening 20 minutes of play.
2nd period –
Sharks set out to equalise early and did just that through #22 John Dunbar who fired the puck past Nappier through traffic after a scramble in the crease, assisted by #43 Nolan Gardiner at 20:50. Both sides battled to claim an edge, resulting in #53 Kian Shevlin sit for unsportsmanlike conduct at 26:02 after breaking through the zone and firing on Nappier from the right wing. Within the same minute, #77 Bayley Harewood fired a tight angle shot onto Marr which found its way across the line, assisted by #24 Butler at 26:31 on the powerplay.
Sharks looked to level the score again through both their offence and defence, but Nappier matched their efforts to retain the lead for Bristol. Tensions rose between the defensive units, resulting in both #5 Olivier Arseneau and #73 Sam Smith sit for roughing, whilst the Pitbulls defender was also called for holding putting Solway on the PP.
Despite being a player down, #77 Bayley Harewood claimed his 2nd of the evening for Bristol with a SH marker from close range on Marr, assisted by #23 White-Sey and #9 Bari McKenzie at 35:51 to extend the Pitbulls’ lead to 3-1. However, the extension was short lived as #22 John Dunbar hit the backbar to answer back for the Sharks via #43 Nolan Gardiner and #6 Stuart Kerr at 37:35. Just 32 seconds later, Solway’s top goal scorer #43 Nolan Gardiner fired the puck top shelf past Nappier, assisted by #22 John Dunbar and #25 Connor Henderson at 38:07 to level the score 3-3.
Discipline slipped for the Pitbulls in the closing moments of the middle frame, as Captain #24 Tanner Butler headed back to the changing rooms early at 39:55 after receiving 5+game penalty for a check to the head.
3rd period –
Although Solway started the final period with a man advantage during Butler’s major penalty, the Sharks failed to punish the hosts who returned to full strength without conceding. However, after consistent pressure, #22 John Dunbar claimed his hat-trick goal at 47:37 after catching Nappier off-guard to put Solway ahead for the first time.
The Sharks handed Bristol a chance to equalise as #53 Kian Shevlin was handed a hooking penalty at 51:37 but a strong PK unit for the Solway kept their advantage intact. The visitors kept control of the puck heading into the closing minutes, however a poke check by #6 Rhys Smetham allowed him a breakaway chance on Marr, sending the puck low into the bottom right corner to tie the scoreline at 56:32 unassisted.
Both sides threw everything they had into the closing minutes of the period in an effort to grab maximum points, but neither were successful, forcing the game into 3on3 overtime.
Solway sent out Canadian imports #22 Dunbar and #43 Gardiner, with the addition of Captain #10 Stenton for the initial overtime face-off, who claimed puck possession instantly. Sharks D-man #5 Olivier Arseneau worked multiple chances in close on Nappier, but it was #22 John Dunbar who rifled the puck across the line on the rebound to seal an all-important bonus point for Solway and clench his 4th marker of the evening.
MVPs were awarded to Solway’s #22 John Dunbar after his 5-point performance and involvement on all 5 goals, including claiming the game winner. Meanwhile, #6 Rhys Smetham received the title for Bristol after his strike which allowed Pitbulls to push the game into extra time.
STATS –
Solway Sharks: John Dunbar 4+1, Nolan Gardiner 1+3, Connor Henderson 0+2, Stuart Kerr 0+1, Liam Stenton 0+1, Olivier Arseneau 0+1
Bristol Pitbulls: Bayley Harewood 2+1, Tanner Butler 1+1, Rhys Smetham 1+1, Bari McKenzie 0+2, Jacob White-Sey 0+2, Cameron Hamill 0+1
Canadian import forward and Head of Hockey Operations, John Dunbar had this to say regarding the weekends results,
“Saturday brought a challenging start to the weekend against a strong Swindon team in a tough environment. It’s no secret that we’ve been playing shorthanded for a few weeks, and I think that fatigue was evident in Saturday’s performance. However, Sunday showcased our resilience and character as a team, as we fought hard for a gritty road win against a determined Bristol squad.”
The Sharks are back on home ice this weekend for an exciting double-header against the Berkshire Bees. These games mark the second and third meetings between the teams, with the Sharks eager to bounce back and claim redemption after falling short in their initial encounter.
The first game kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 14, with doors opening at 5:30 PM and puck drop at 7:00 PM. The action continues on Sunday, Dec. 15, with doors opening at 3:30 PM and puck drop at 5:00 PM.
Saturday’s game will also feature the Sharks’ annual ‘Hurl-A-Hug’ event. Fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear wrapped in a clear plastic bag to toss onto the ice after the Sharks score their first goal. Don’t worry if you forget—teddy bears will be available for purchase at the merch stand on game day.
Tickets are available now at the Sharks IHC website (https://sharksihc.com/tickets/) or in person at the Dumfries Ice Bowl. Don’t miss this weekend of thrilling hockey action and community spirit!
Article written by Fleur Tobin
