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Solway Sharks show their teeth in 1 – 11 showdown with Freeze
Solway Sharks, the runaway leaders at the top of the division, returned to Deeside Ice Arena for a second time for the teams second of four meetings this season. Freeze have greatly improved since their 1-16 loss at the start of the season, so the team (and the fans;-)) were keenly anticipating a matching improvement in performance and the score. The game on Sunday night duly delivered.
The Sharks were the first to take a bite out of the score sheet just inside a minute when a pass across the goal face from the night’s top point scorer Reynolds (4 goals 5 assists) allowed Hendersonto lift the puck over Freeze net minder Matty Compton’s stick. In reply, the Freeze forwards tried a few forays up front and the defence dug deep – Ainsley Keeler marking his return to the side with a very cool clearance in front of the Freeze posts. Si Furnival slapped a couple of shots wide and a Gavin Austin shot bounced off Shark’s keeper Russell’s pads as the Freeze kept the Sharks busy in defence for a while. But Reynolds linked up again with Hendersonto get his 2nd of the night just inside 8 mins. Another familiar face returning to the Freeze fold, Gary Dixon, tried to make some headway up front but was held back and play was soon down the other end.Compton then saved only to see the rebound fall to Reynolds to get his first of the night. Eventually the ref saw an even more blatant hooking penalty by the Sharks and they went a man down. Unfortunately Freeze were left discombobulated that the ref actually called in their favour, and the circling Sharks took advantage with Reynolds grabbing a short handed goal to take it to 0-4. When the Sharks took a 10 mins (harsh!) illegal equipment (helmet) call, the Freeze forwards saw their chance and went for it hard this time. A frantic frenzy of goal mouth action had the fans on their feet until finally the puck settled softly and sweetly in the back of the Shark’s net. The home fans went crazy and so did the on ice action. When it was finally sorted (well.. sort of.). the goal was given to Peter Norgate and it was 1-4. Freeze then immediately had Norgate in the bin and Sharks had two in there for roughing with one a plus 10 mins for misconduct. Interestingly the refs decided to restart from the Sharks end and not from the centre spot as penalties were conceded after the goal and with the Freeze 5 on 4 as coincidental penalties had been called. Period score: 1-4. SOG made Freeze – 9 Solway – 15. (Well done Matt!)
Second period – and the Sharks actually needed an extra minute to score this period with Reynolds getting their 5th at 1 mins 56secs. Both teams came out keen, and Freeze showed they meant business playing some of their best hockey to keep the Sharks at bay. But when Steve Fellows had to sit out 2 mins for hooking after a desperate defensive move, a Solway charge in front of goal sees the puck bobble in to take it 1-6 on a power play. This stage of the game was action packed. In the Freeze goal, Compton is called on to make save after save, but it is a breakaway from top scorer James Parsons which incites the Sharks into an illegal check from behind and gets a rare penalty shot for the Freeze. It slices off the Shark’s net minder’s stick to the home crowd’s disappointment. As Shark’s Tonnar sat out 2mins for roughing, they took advantage of a disappointed Freeze and Reynolds grabbed his 4th goal of the night whilst they were shorthanded.Compton once again found himself in the middle of a goal mouth kerfuffle and then found himself off the ice for 5 plus match for slashing giving Phil Crosby time to face 9 shots between the posts for the Freeze. Period score: 1-7 SOG made Freeze – 5 Sharks – 20.
Third period and, back with a bang, the Sharks score again within a minute and soon follow it up with another after a rare loose pass behind the net from Marc Lovell and it is 1-9. In the meantime, Freeze’s Kenny Williams was dismissed from the ice for 5 plus match for a check to the head which appeared to be caused by an accidental flailing elbow. Once the blood is cleaned from the ice the Freeze, a man down, rely on some fine saves byCrosbyin the net as play is hardly out of the Freeze end. Just over halfway through the period, the Sharks change net minders. But it is the Freeze defence who worked hard to run down the 5 minute penalty keeping the Sharks forwards from scoring right up to just 24 seconds remained. Two seconds after Williams 5 min major had expired, the Sharks scored again to make the final score 1-11. Freeze found themselves with a man advantage for the last 2 minutes of the game but, despite some brave efforts just couldn’t find the back of the net. Final Score 1-11. SOG made this period Freeze-8 Sharks 26
Man of the Match: Sharks – 44 Reynolds, Freeze – 40Crosby
Total shots faced; Freeze Crompton- 26, Crosby -35: Sharks Russel-18. Rae – 4
