MK Lightning vs Solway Sharks 01.02.25
The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks travelled South to face the 2nd place Milton Keynes Lightning in their 2nd road game of a string of 5, facing an 8-0 defeat to the hosts who reclaimed pole position of the NIHL National League table.
Solway travelled with 16+2 as #9 Mason Alderson, #14 Lewis Young and #21 Torran Anderson returned back into the squad following brief spells of injury. However, #16 Bailey Thomson returned to his 2-way team, alongside #55 Owen Rae, #17 Joe Lynch and #53 Kian Shevlin. Meanwhile, Milton Keynes lined up with 18+2, unchanged from their previous fixture. Netminder #31 Will Kerlin retained his position between the pipes, whilst Solway opted for #33 Jordan Marr once again, backed up by #37 Logan Reid.
1st period – (2-0)
Milton Keynes won the initial face-off and fired shots on Marr through their first line, but he made the stops to deny an early marker for the hosts. The Sharks quickly answered with offensive pressure of their own, yet Kerlin covered Kerr’s blue-line strike. However, Lightning claimed the opening goal at 5:50 after #86 Sean Norris fed the puck to #59 Ross Venus on the back door.
The hosts continued their attacking threat, although the Sharks defence performed well to soak up the pressure, giving the forwards chance to break. Solway were forced onto the PK at 11:50 as top points-scorer #43 Nolan Gardiner received a double minor for hooking. MK doubled their lead on the man advantage after a drop pass from #95 Jordan Cownie allowed #24 Carter Hamill to fire a one-timer past Marr at 14:43. The visitors were eager to respond but MK denied them any opportunities thanks to a solid defensive unit, seeing them hold a 2-0 scoreline over the Sharks after 20 minutes.
2nd period – (3-0)
Milton Keynes were relentless on their attack, forcing Marr to make a diving save to deny Cownie from close range early in the middle frame. Sharks were then handed a major opportunity to halve the deficit as #89 Rio Grinnell-Parke sat for boarding, after his hit resulted in #12 Kell Beattie taking time off the ice at 24:22. Despite numerous efforts from Solway, including a one-timer from #10 Liam Stenton, Lightning returned to full strength without conceding.
Shortly after, the hosts ramped up their offensive presence and worked a 3rd goal through player-coach #28 Tim Wallace, squeezing the puck between the Marr’s catcher and the post at 28:43. Sharks faced more trouble as #43 Nolan Gardiner headed back to the penalty box for delay of game at 31:26, but the visitors applied a strong PK unit to prevent an additional marker for MK.
The Lightning’s first line connected successfully as #16 Mack Stewart fired top shelf, following the feed from #71 Harry Gulliver across the crease at 35:48 which added a 4th to MK’s tally. However, they handed Solway an opportunity shortly after at 36:17 whilst #33 Milique Martelly sat for tripping. However, the hosts wasted no time after killing Martelly’s penalty as #86 Sean Norris slotted the puck 5-hole under Marr at 39:38, sending MK into the final frame with a healthy 5-goal lead.
3rd period – (3-0)
Solway were determined to reduce the deficit, but #31 Will Kerlin held strong to retain his shutout for Milton Keynes. Lightning wasted no time adding a 6th goal through a strike from #71 Harry Gulliver, assisted by #37 Patrik Forsberg at 42:42. Tensions then spilled over at 43:36, resulting in Solway being short-handed as #5 Olivier Arseneau sat a double-minor for roughing, cancelled out by a single minor for #89 Rio Grinnell-Parke.
Seconds later, #95 Jordan Cownie claimed the 2nd power-play goal of the evening, after a scramble for possession in the crease at 43:52. Milton Keynes fired their final goal of the game past Marr on 46 minutes via #71 Harry Gulliver, forcing Solway’s Head Coach, Martin Grubb to call a brief timeout.
After re-discussing tactics, Solway worked multiple chances on #31 Will Kerlin, however he matched their efforts to deny the Sharks a consolation goal. The final penalty of the period was handed to #11 Callum Field for holding, putting MK at risk of conceding late in the game. Solway fired a series of shots on Kerlin and cycled the puck around the Lightning zone, but they failed to find a way past the host’s defence. MK maintained possession for the remainder of the game, seeing them claim a dominant 8-0 win on home ice to put Lightning back in the top spot of the NIHL League table.
MVPs were awarded to #12 Kell Beattie following a valiant effort in D for the Sharks, whilst #31 Will Kerlin picked up the title for MK following his shut-out performance.
Romford Raiders vs Solway Sharks 02.02.25
The Solway Sharks travelled South to face the Romford Raiders in their 3rd consecutive road game, facing a 5-2 loss to the hosts, despite a strong fight back in the final period netting 2 goals.
Solway travelled with 16+2, unchanged from the previous evening against the MK Lightning still missing all 2-way agreement players from the line-up. Meanwhile, the Raiders iced a full squad of 20+2 as #85 Tom Palmer made his home debut in Romford. Sharks opted for #33 Jordan Marr in between the pipes once more, whilst #30 Owen Rider was given the start for the hosts.
1st period – (3-0)
Romford wasted no time after puck drop, firing shots on Marr from a multitude of angles, yet he made the stops to deny an early lead for the hosts. Sharks then overturned play and worked an effort through the first line, but they were broken down by Raiders defensive unit.
However, Romford regained possession and claimed the opening goal on 5 minutes, after #91 Andrew Shewfelt rifled a shot past Marr from the left wing, assisted by #11 Tom Relf to give the hosts the lead. Within the same minute, Raiders added a 2nd goal to their tally as #29 Jake Sylvester slotted the puck across the line on the back door at 5:42, assisted by #98 Tjay Anderson and #26 Reed Morison.
Both sides created chances, yet the netminders made the stops which caused words to be exchanged either ends of the ice in the creases. Sharks were handed the first powerplay of the period as #11 Tom Relf was called for interference at 11:30. Despite multiple efforts, Solway failed to reduce the deficit. Tensions continued to bubble seeing both #22 John Dunbar and #3 Tyler Nixon take 2 minutes out for roughing at 18:49. Raiders claimed a 3rd goal in the closing seconds of the period at 19:50 as #55 Sean Barry fired top-corner, after #95 Shaun Miller controlled the puck in the Solway zone, to give the hosts a 3 goal advantage.
2nd period – (2-0)
Sharks returned for the middle frame, determined to answer back yet Rider made the difference for the hosts keeping a clean sheet. Although, down the opposite end of the ice, Marr was tested multiple times as the Raiders created plays of their own. Solway were forced on the penalty kill for the first time at 27:43 as #25 Connor Henderson received a hooking call, but the Sharks denied Romford’s attack.
Raiders’ second line linked up successfully at 31:55 after #26 Reed Morison fired a one-timer from the left face-off circle, putting the hosts 4 goals clear. However, moments later they were at risk of conceding as #14 Jack Cooper was called for hooking at 33:53 yet Sharks failed to capitalise once again. Tensions between the 2 sides eventually spilled over at 36:36 as #5 Olivier Arseneau and #14 Jack Cooper dropped the gloves in the Solway zone, seeing both of them sit 5min for fighting.
The exchange of punches tilted the game in Romford’s favour once again as #29 Jake Sylvester netted the 5th consecutive goal for the hosts late in the period at 39:34 securing Raiders a 5-0 lead after 40 minutes of play.
3rd period – (0-2)
The Sharks amped up the pressure from the initial face-off in the final frame, testing Rider multiple times. However, he matched their efforts to keep the Sharks off the scoreboard. The visitors were relentless and after 105 minutes of goal-less hockey for Solway, #6 Stuart Kerr reduced the deficit at 45:49 with a top-corner strike following the thread from #9 Mason Alderson.
Momentum shifted in the Sharks’ favour, which led to a second goal in quick succession for the visiting side. Solway’s #92 Caly Robertson collected the loose puck after #43 Nolan Gardiner’s snipe hit the crossbar and slotted home the final goal of the evening at 48:30, to post the score at 5-2. Romford handed Solway an opportunity to draw the scoreline closer again at 50:41 as #22 Megas Kanys sat for tripping, but Rider performed for his side.
Punches were thrown once again at 53:43 after #86 Tommy Hugget claimed a breakaway chance, resulting in both himself and teammate sit
minor infractions for roughing, alongside Solway’s #5 Olivier Arseneau. However, Solway’s top points-scorer #43 Nolan Gardiner was sent for an early shower as he received 5+game for fighting, swinging the game back in Romford’s favour.
Raiders looked to extend the scoreline on their brief powerplay opportunity, causing #12 Kell Beattie to pick up a slashing call at 58:02 after snapping Miller’s stick. Although, this was cancelled out simultaneously as #86 Tommy Hugget sat for interference following a hit into the boards on #22 John Dunbar on the whistle. The final penalty of the evening was handed to #51 Ashley Jackson for delay of game at 59:49, yet the Sharks failed to capitalise on their brief powerplay to secure a 5-2 victory to Romford.
MVPs were awarded to #6 Stuart Kerr after scoring the opening goal for Solway, whilst #3 Tyler Nixon claimed the title for Romford Raiders after dropping the gloves.
The Dynamic Property Services-sponsored Solway Sharks are back on the road this weekend, taking on the Swindon Wildcats and Bristol Pitbulls. But Sharks fans don’t have to miss a moment of the action—join us at the Shark Tank for our Live Watch Parties!
On Saturday, February 8th, we’ll be showing the Sharks’ matchup against the Swindon Wildcats. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with faceoff at 6:30 PM. Then on Sunday, February 9th, we’ll be screening the game against the Bristol Pitbulls, with doors opening at 4:00 PM and faceoff at 5:00 PM. Come and cheer on the team from home turf and be part of the excitement. For more details, visit sharksihc.com/tickets.
