Solway Sharks vs MK Lightning 22.03.25
The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks returned to home ice for the final time of the 24/25 season with a tough fixture ahead, facing the MK Lightning. The Sharks put up a huge fight but fell short 1-5 to the visitors in a packed out Sharktank to complete their home campaign for the season.
Solway lined up with 18+2 as #25 Connor Henderson and 2-way defenceman #55 Owen Rae returned into the squad, whilst all other 2-way players remained out of the squad. Meanwhile, Milton Keynes travelled with 16+2, unchanged from their game the previous evening against the Romford Raiders. Solway opted for #33 Jordan Marr between the pipes once more, whilst #31 Will Kerlin retained his start for the Lightning.
1st period – (0-1)
The tempo was rapid from the initial puck drop, boosted by the electric atmosphere in the Sharktank as both sides looked to pick up an early marker. James Griffin came close for the visitors with a strong strike from the blue line, but #33 Jordan Marr made the catcher save to retain a goal-less scoreline. Sharks forward, #22 Dunbar blocked yet another shot from Griffin on the blue line once more to deny Lightning.
However, seconds later #86 Sean Norris converted the rebound from #59 Ross Venus on the back door at 7:31, giving MK the lead. Although, the visitors jeopardised their advantage as #96 Ben Solder received the first penalty of the evening for interference at 8:21. Despite multiple efforts from the Sharks, they failed to punish MK on the powerplay.
Solway continued to push for an equalising goal, forcing #31 Will Kerlin to make the stops on multiple occasions, causing the net to come off its moorings. Sharks were awarded a chance late in the period as #37 Patrik Forsberg sat for interference at 17:16 after taking Dunbar down in centre ice. The hosts came close via 2 one-timer strikes by #12 Kell Beattie at point, but Kerlin made the catcher save on both attempts to complete the opening period with a single goal lead to MK.
2nd period – (1-2)
The visitors tested Marr early in the middle frame as they pushed to double their lead, yet he reacted quickly to deny MK’s first line. The counterattack came through #9 Mason Alderson for Solway, but he failed to equalise on both occasions. Sharks were struck with their first PK of the evening at 25:14 as #68 Callum Boyd was called for hooking. A strong defensive effort from the Sharks denied MK and allowed their forwards to create chances following the penalty.
Sharks ramped up the offensive pressure allowing #9 Mason Alderson to claim a break, deking past the MK defence to slot the puck under Kerlin’s 5-hole at 30:27 whilst losing an edge, after the connection between #5 Olivier Arseneau and #49 Liam Danskin to equalise. However, Lightning quickly answered back through #14 Dillon Lawrence at 32:24, assisted by #5 Jordan Spadafore and #86 Sean Norris to re-claim an edge on the scoreline.
Milton Keynes carried the momentum forward, resulting in #86 Sean Norris firing a one-timer past #33 Jordan Marr after the thread from #59 Ross Venus at 34:43 to extend the lead to 1-3. Emotions ran high as both sides were eager to contribute to the scoreline, seeing #68 Callum Boyd and #15 James Griffin drop the gloves at 38:11 much to the delight of the fans. Neither side managed to claim a late marker after the bust-up, allowing MK to hold a 1-3 lead after 40 minutes of play.
3rd period – (0-2)
Sharks were handed an opportunity to halve the deficit early in the final frame as #33 Millique Martelly sat for slashing at 41:56, but they failed to punish Lightning. Solway then returned the favour at 46:30 as Captain, #10 Liam Stenton was also called for slashing. Seconds later, #16 Mack Stewart fired from the left wing to put MK 1-4 clear on the powerplay at 46:47, assisted by #86 Sean Norris and #95 Jordan Cownie.
Sharks failed to break down the MK firepower, despite returning to full strength, as #59 Ross Venus fired top-corner past Marr at 48:24 to claim the final goal of the evening and secure Lightning a solid lead. However, discipline slipped for the visitors as #95 Jordan Cownie sat for a face-off violation at 49:11, but Sharks failed to convert. Seconds later, #89 Scott Henderson was called for cross-checking, although Solway coped well with the pressure to prevent an extension on the score for the visitors.
The final infraction of the evening was called on MK’s #33 Millique Martelly for hooking, however the scoreline remained unchanged as #31 Will Kerlin matched the Sharks forwards’ efforts. Solway threw everything they had at the Lightning goal, but their defence soaked up the pressure to ensure they picked up a 1-5 win on the road in the final game of the 24/25 season in the Sharktank.
MVPs were awarded to #9 Mason Alderson, following his solo breakaway goal for the Sharks. Meanwhile, #16 Mack Stewart picked up the title for Lightning after his contribution to the scoreline.
Telford Tigers vs Solway Sharks 23.03.25
The Dynamic property services Solway Sharks travelled South to face the Telford Tigers for their final fixture of the 24/25 season after narrowly missing out on a playoff spot the previous evening. The Sharks finished off their campaign in style with a 3-6 win over the Tigers, featuring a different goal-scorer on each occasion, whilst #43 Nolan Gardiner reached the 100-point milestone.
Solway travelled with 17+2 as #55 Owen Rae was the only change from the evening prior, whilst all other 2-way agreement players and injured forward #15 Kieran Hair remained out of line-up. Meanwhile, the Tigers iced a squad of 19+2 as #15 Josef Lauder was added from the previous evening’s game against the Swindon Wildcats. Sharks opted to give #30 Calum Hepburn his 7th start of the season in net, whilst regular starter #30 Brad Day retained his place between the pipes for Tigers.
1st period – (1-0)
The Tigers handed Solway a huge opportunity to claim the lead in the opening minute as #39 Louie Newell was called for tripping at 56 seconds. Discipline slipped once more for the hosts as #4 Adam Harding sat a double minor for high sticking #22 John Dunbar, but a strong PK unit denied the Sharks multiple times.
Despite a troubled start to the period, Telford gained momentum quickly and picked up the opening goal through #11 Eric Henderson at 9:42, assisted by #39 Louie Newell and #28 Devon Skoleski. Tigers continued to push for a way to double the lead, yet #30 Calum Hepburn matched their efforts to relieve the pressure on Solway’s defensive unit.
Tigers put their lead on the line at 16:54 as #23 David Thomson was handed a holding call, but Day made the difference for his side during the penalty kill. A final effort from #43 Nolan Gardiner put Telford under threat, but they held the puck against the boards to ensure they maintained a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
2nd period – (2-3)
Sharks came out firing in the middle frame, equalising on the first shift in the opening 10 seconds, thanks to a strike from #43 Nolan Gardiner after the connection between #22 John Dunbar and #12 Kell Beattie from the face-off. Telford searched for a quick response, but Hepburn stood tall to retain a level scoreline.
Solway’s #9 Mason Alderson came close to claiming the advantage for his side, but it was linemate #14 Lewis Young at 27:32 who converted the rebound from #10 Liam Stenton’s blue line shot to put Solway ahead. Moments later, tensions spilled between #21 Torran Anderson and #39 Louie Newell both sat for slashing at 28:46 leaving play 5on5.
The brief stoppage in play favoured Solway as #12 Kell Beattie fired high past Day at 30:12, assisted by first line teammates #92 Caly Robertson and #43 Nolan Gardiner to extend the lead for the visitors. Both sides were handed co-incidental penalties yet again as goal-scorer #12 Kell Beattie was joined by #23 David Thomson in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct. Sharks were then forced on the PK as #10 Liam Stenton sat for interference at 31:20 putting their 2-goal buffer at risk.
Telford Captain, #77 Scott McKenzie fired a one-timer past Hepburn from the right face-off circle at 32:13 to halve the deficit for his side on the powerplay. Sharks looked to restore their lead shortly after through #9 Mason Alderson but a poke check by #4 Adam Harding denied him the opportunity.
Calum Hepburn was tested seconds later as Telford claimed a breakaway through Newell and Henderson, but he coped well to ensure Solway kept the advantage on the scoreline. Solway put their lead at risk late in the middle period as #9 Mason Alderson was called for roughing, but a strong defensive performance maintained the goal buffer for the visitors heading into the final frame.
3rd period – (1-3)
Tigers returned for the final period for vengeance and equalised through #23 David Thomson, assisted by fellow Canadians #11 Eric Henderson and #28 Devon Skoleski at 40:31. However, Sharks were awarded a chance to
restore their lead at 43:03 as #18 Joe Aston sat a double-minor for high sticks. Despite multiple efforts, the Telford defence fended off Solway’s firepower to maintain a tied game.
The Tigers claimed momentum and created numerous chances in the Solway zone but were sent back on the PK at 51:24 as #39 Louie Newell was called for interference. The Solway Canadians connected on the powerplay, allowing #5 Olivier Arseneau to fire low past Day from the slot to put Sharks ahead whilst #43 Nolan Gardiner claimed his 100th point of the season simultaneously.
The visitors dominated possession following the go-ahead goal which resulted in #68 Callum Boyd converting the rebound from #10 Liam Stenton’s shot inside the crease at 54:07, posting the score at 3-5 heading into the final 5 minutes. Tensions began to bubble inside the Solway crease as Telford were determined to clench an equalising goal late in the frame.
An icing call on Solway allowed Telford’s head coach, Tom Watkins to call a timeout at 57:35 opting to leave Brad Day on the bench in favour of an extra forward. However, the risk failed for the hosts as #88 Kyle Carruth fired the empty netter at 57:52, assisted by #9 Mason Alderson and #10 Liam Stenton to ensure a 3-6 victory for Solway in their final fixture of the 24/25 season.
MVPs were awarded to #30 Calum Hepburn for Solway after his superb performance between the pipes to secure the win for his side. Meanwhile, #38 Tom Byrne claimed the title for Telford for his consistent effort in the offensive zone.
The past two matches marked the conclusion of the 2024/25 NIHL season for the Sharks, as they narrowly missed out on the playoffs for the second consecutive year. While the season’s ending was disappointing, the team made significant strides in nearly every aspect of their performance. Finishing with 44 points, the Sharks secured a 9th-place spot in the standings—a testament to their continued progress. Off the ice, the club saw an increase in average attendance compared to the previous year with a peak being in the final game of the season with 1102 fans packed into the Shark Tank. The team also expanded its commitment to community outreach, strengthening its schools’ visits program.
Overall, it was a season filled with highs and lows, valuable lessons, and plenty of memorable moments. As the team looks ahead to the 2025/26 campaign, they are determined to build on this foundation, aiming to make an even greater impact in their third season in the league. Stay connected with the Sharks on social media throughout the summer for updates on what promises to be an exciting offseason!
