Solway Sharks, sponsored by Building Craftsmen Dumfries, made the long trip to Cambridgeshire on Saturday morning for their pre-season game vs EPL playoff champions Peterbrough Phantoms.
Seven months ago in the British Challenge Cup, Sharks made the same trip with just ten skaters but scored two late goals to snatch a first ever win for NIHL North sides over EPL opposition.
On Saturday Solway came from 3-1 down early in the third period to tie the game 3-3, with Steven Moore grabbing the equaliser three minutes from time.
The Sharks squad included new signing Martin Cingel, the returning Juraj Senko and Kieran Hobbins as starting goalie. Eight of the squad were developed through the Dumfries-based junior system.
Peterborough opened the scoring inside the first two minutes through Darius Pliskauskas, but that proved to be the only goal of the period. The shot count was fairly even with 11 on Peterborough’s Auzins and 13 on Hobbins.
Sharks were forced to kill a five on three powerplay with Stuart Kerr and Martin Cingel in the box, but the defence held firm. Indeed the Sharks had a powerplay chance of their own in the 28th minute but couldn’t convert.
The Phantoms doubled their lead just before the half hour with a strike from Marc Levers, a powerplay goal timed at 29.57, and Sharks were down 2-0.
That remained the score at the second interval.
Early in the final frame, Sharks’ third powerplay of the night would prove fruitful. Senko and Cingel were operating on the special teams and they set up newly appointed captain Struan Tonnar to fire the first goal of the season for Solway.
The joy was shortlived as Levers bagged his second just a minute later to restore Peterborough’s two-goal cushion at 42.52.
Approaching the midpoint of the period, defenceman Stuart Andrews’ pass put Martin Cingel through and the forward made no mistake to open his goal account in Sharks colours – 3-2 Phantoms with 10.14 to play.
After the goal, Kieran Hobbins made way in net for Kyle Johnston. Hobbins had saved 30 of 33 shots faced on his return to action.
With time running down, Sharks pressured and Peterborough minds were sent back to January’s cup game. There Steven Moore’s shot was saved before Ross Murray netted the rebound for the equaliser. In this game, the roles were reversed – Murray’s shot, Moore’s rebound, Sharks level at 3-3 with 3.07 to play.
There was one last twist as Scott Robson’s late penalty put Sharks on the powerplay for the final 86 seconds of the game. After Martin Grubb’s timeout, Solway pressed for a winner to complete the action replay of seven months ago, but on this occasion there was no winner and honours ended even.
Speaking after the game, Sharks head coach Martin Grubb said: “The game was just what we wanted in a pre-season workout against the EPL playoff champions.
“Everyone played their part tonight from 1-22 and we got a deserved result.
Arguably we could and should have won in the end with the late powerplay, but I’m happy.
“Tonight we had a lot of our younger players – we saw last year that given the ice time they will develop and take their chance. It shows the strength of the development system and our strength in depth this year.”
BCD Solway Sharks begin their 15-16 NIHL season on Sunday away to Whitley Warriors (5pm) before the home opener on Saturday 12 September v Billingham Stars. Face off at Dumfries Ice Bowl is 7pm.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2015-16 NIHL season, with a 16-game pass costing just £99 for adults, £60 for concessions and a family season ticket (2+2) is £200. These prices have been extended until 9pm Saturday September 5th.
To purchase online go to www.solwaysharksihc.co.uk or tickets can be bought from Dumfries Ice Bowl reception.
Season tickets already bought can be collected from the Sharks at Dumfries Ice Bowl this Saturday (5 September) from 7pm.
