Solway Sharks Match Report: Sharks V Manchester Minotaurs

The Solway Sharks, sponsored by Magnox Ltd., huffed and puffed their way through the first thirty-eight minutes on Saturday night and found themselves two goals down to a much improved Manchester Minotaurs at the Ice Bowl on Saturday evening. Luckily they awoke from their slumber and scored four unanswered goals to claim a four-two victory.

 

The Sharks might have opened the scoring in the second minute when Mark Gallagher won possession on the right-hand boards and fed the puck into Iain Bowie but his goal-bound shot from the slot was well saved by Paul Maudsley. While the home side continued to probe they found the Minotaurs defence well-organised and determined and despite good build up play they were reduced to shooting from distance. This was the case on the seven minute mark when the skill of Craig Thurston set up shooting opportunities for Bob Chalmers and Juraj Senko. Two minutes later Ross Murray broke through the slot and took aim for the top left-hand corner only to be denied by the diving Maudsley who was already producing a Man of the Match performance. On the thirteen minute mark the home side finally beat the visiting netminder when Gallagher fed Tonnar for a shot from the left-hand circle but unfortunately the puck found the goal frame and not the net. This was to be a recurring theme as the Sharks hit the pipes no less than five times before the final hooter.

 

To this point it may sound that it was all Solway but this was not the case. While the home side had the lion’s share of possession and territory the visitors were quick to show enterprise whenever possession came their way and Gary Russell had to be on his toes to save from Greaves and Worrall. Manchester’s import, Lukas Zemen, had scored four goals the previous weekend at Sutton so the Sharks were well aware of the threat that he posed and for the most part he was tightly marked by the home defence but he did show glimpses of the talent he undoubtedly possesses. With three minutes left in the session Bob Chalmers was somewhat harshly penalised for slashing and the Minotaurs went onto the powerplay. Patiently they played the puck around the Sharks defensive area but it was looking like the penalty kill would hold until Drakeley and Dickinson combined on the left to thread the puck across the face of the Solway goal where it was met with conviction by Brian Worrall to open the scoring.

 

Solway started the second period on another penalty kill but could have stolen an equaliser when Stevie Moore broke up the left and around the Manchester goal before firing just over from the right-hand circle. With the teams back to full strength Calum Henderson and Mark Gallagher combined well but just as the former prepared to shoot from close range he was denied by a superb last ditch challenge by Drakeley. The Minotaurs immediately broke up the ice at speed and Russell was forced into action to save twice in quick succession but when the third rebound found Geoff Wigglesworth in the slot he fired home to give his side a two goal lead. On the thirty-two minute mark the game came to a minor flashpoint. The Sharks clearly felt aggrieved and frustrated at the lack of penalties given to the opposition for a series of minor infractions and Frazer Goldie invited Robyn Crebbin to dance – an offer he refused. Both were given matching minor penalties and Goldie also received a ten minute misconduct for inciting the incident. At the same time Gary Russell was also given a ten minute misconduct for voicing his opinion – which was hardly surprising as the performance from both officials was inconsistent at best.

 

With three minute remaining in the second period the Sharks were finally exerting a spell of concerted pressure on the Minotaurs defence. Finally it told when Drakeley rushed a simple clearance, firing the puck over the plexi-glass to give Solway their first powerplay of the game. For ninety seconds the home side passed the puck patiently around the Manchester defensive area but they failed to pull the resolute defenders out of position and it looked like they might be frustrated once more. Then Juraj Senko spotted Mark Gallagher moving into space on the left and he collected the pass and slipped around behind the visitors’ goal looking for support. That support came in the form of Iain Bowie, goal-side of his marker, and when the pass came his way he made no mistake to give the Sharks the lifeline they so desperately needed. Within thirty seconds disaster could have struck once more for the Dumfries side. With their tails up the Sharks went looking for an equaliser but a rare mistake from Craig Mitchell allowed Lukas Zemen to rob him and race up the left wing. As he crossed the blueline he cut inside and shot early but Gary Russell had read the move perfectly and was well placed to save the day.

 

Solway began the final period knowing they had a job to do and three minutes later it was the Solway support who were on their feet again. A Struan Tonnar pass sent Bob Chalmers into Manchester territory and a mixture of skill and strength took him past his marker, but as he closed in on goal at an angle he looked up to see Ross McIntosh arriving in the slot and opted to pass. It was to be a good decision as the former Dundee man took aim and buried his shot into the oppositions net to score his first goal for the Sharks. For the next fourteen minutes the Sharks controlled most of the possession and territory but they found the Manchester defence were determined to hold out for a point and when their rearguard was breached Paul Maudsley was a brick wall in goal. For their part the visitors were always willing to break at speed when the opportunity arose and Sharks defence had to be on their toes at all times too.

 

With two and a half minutes remaining it was looking like the game was heading for a draw but if anyone had headed back across the Nith for a pint in Cavens then they were to miss a grandstand finish. Mark Gallagher robbed Joe Greaves just inside the visitors’ blueline and Struan Tonnar picked up the loose puck before wheeling around behind the goal. Looking up he saw the defence frantically trying to regroup and Iain Bowie drifting unmarked into the slot. When the pass came his way he showed why he is one of the best marksmen in the league with another top class finish. From the restart Sean Day collected possession and broke up the right before firing up towards the top right-hand corner only to see the glove of Gary Russell grasp the puck. It was looking like it might be a nervous ending to the game for the Sharks faithful but Senko sent McIntosh around the Minotaurs goal from where he spotted Craig Thurston free in the slot and the Sharks youngster duly completed the scoring at four.

 

Scoring statistics for the Sharks were as follows: Bowie two goals and no assists, Ross McIntosh 1+1, Craig Thurston 1+0, Struan Tonnar, Mark Gallagher and Juraj Senko all 0+2, Robert Chalmers 0+1. Gary Russell in the Sharks goal saved twenty-four of the twenty-six shots that he faced (save percentage 92.31%).

 

The win took the Sharks to the top of the league overnight until Whitley Warriors overtook them on goal difference with an excellent home victory over the Billingham Stars the next day. Solway now have a weekend off before they make the journey down the M6 for the return league fixture against the Minotaurs at Altrincham on Saturday the 28th of September. Manchester are sure to be eager for revenge and the game promises to be a cracker. Any Sharks supporters who would like to travel with the team are advised that the bus will leave Dumfries Ice Bowl at 11:45am and the fare will be £10 not including rink entry. To book your seat contact david@solwaysharks.co.uk or leave a request on the Sharks Facebook page.