The YKK Widnes Wild travelled to the Forum for the 1st time this season on Sunday, but left with a disappointing 12-2 defeat to league leaders Billingham Stars. Widnes lined up with a squad of 13+1, seeing the return of Damarni James to the squad. Meanwhile, Billingham iced with a team of 15+2 so both teams were still missing some key players.
Billingham were relentless from the first face-off and were soon rewarded with an early goal at 5:07 from #26 Rolands Gritāns, assisted by #32 Michael Elder and #15 Chris Sykes. However, a breakaway goal by #39 Conner McNulty at 6:50 quickly levelled the score to 1-1. Chris Sykes was then awarded a slashing penalty at 7:06, but the Wild failed to capitalise and put themselves ahead. The Stars then regained their lead at 9:53 with #91 Iain Brown from Tommy Spraggon. Luca Tessadri then kept the Stars offence at bay for a while, allowing the Wild to fire at Billingham keeper Tom Brown but he stood strong to deny them the equaliser. Another goal for the Stars at 16:32 from #23 Jack Emerson, assisted by #8 Joe Walls gave Billingham a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Widnes came out determined to claw a goal back early, and they did just that at 21:47 with a snipe from Kyle Carruth sending the puck top corner, assisted by Will Harper. However, 3 quick goals for Billingham by Elder, Brown and Sykes pushed the game further from the Wild, just 5 minutes into the 2nd period. The Widnes bench then called a time-out at 24:18, following the 5th goal in an attempt to refocus for the remainder of the match.
Billingham then swapped out their netminder from #30 Tom Brown to #33 Mark Turnbull at 27:47. Widnes aimed to catch him out cold, but shortly after #26 Gritāns grabbed his 2nd of the game at 28:15 to extend the Stars’ lead. The Wild offence continued to set up chances, but the Stars defence maintained their team’s lead. Chris Sykes put another past Tessadri at 33:32 assisted by both of his linemates, followed by Captain Elder of the same line at 36:42 to hand Billingham an overwhelming 7 goal lead after 40 minutes.
Widnes were handed a power-play opportunity for the opening minute of the 3rd period, following a penalty on Iain Brown for slashing at 39:24. The Wild offence failed to put the puck past Turnbull and the Stars returned to full strength. Widnes were then given their 1st penalty of the game at 42:05 after #21 Damarni James sat 2 minutes for illegal equipment. #14 James Hellens fired the puck past Luca on the PP, assisted by #98 Alex Preston to give the Stars their 10th goal of the game. Widnes then returned to full-strength and went on the attack once more, desperate to clinch a goal back.
Billingham dominated the puck once more and #98 Alex Preston tipped the puck over Tessadri’s head at 45:49 assisted by #77 Lewis Hall and #12 Tommy Spraggon. Chris Sykes headed to the box again at 47:20 for hooking, allowing Widnes an extra man, but Joey Coulter was also caught hooking at 48:53 ending any PP chances for the Wild early. The final goal for Billingham Stars was scored by #88 Lucas Dowdle, assisted by Tommy Spraggon at 53:23 to separate the teams by 10 goals. Widnes kept fighting till the final whistle, but failed to grab a late goal, ending the match at 12-2.
MVPs were awarded to defenceman #11 Will Harper for the Widnes Wild and #14 James Hellens for the Billingham Stars.
Officials: Wheeler, MacKinnon, Emmerson
STATS –
Widnes Wild: Conner McNulty 1+0, Kyle Carruth 1+0, Will Harper 0+1
Billingham Stars: Michael Elder 2+3, Chris Sykes 2+3, Rolands Gritāns 2+2, Iain Brown 2+0, Alex Preston 1+1, Jack Emerson 1+0, James Hellens 1+0, Lucas Dowdle 1+0, Tommy Spraggon 0+5, Joe Walls 0+1, Shaun Galloway 0+1, Joe Dowdle 0+1, Lewis Hall 0+1
Article written by Fleur Tobin