Widnes Wild vs Whitley Warriors 23.09.23
The YKK Widnes Wild travelled to Whitley Bay for the 1st road trip of the season on Saturday. Unfortunately, the Wild were short-benched with 15+2, so it was an uphill battle from the first face-off, against a strong warriors side.
Whitley took control of the game relatively early and grabbed the lead with a quick goal by Latvian import #78 Grigors, assisted by #5 McDonald and Canadian import #44 Kyle Pow. The first period saw several minor penalties for both teams, however neither team could capitalise with the man advantage, ending a close 1st period 1-0 in favour to the warriors.
The 2nd period began with 2 early penalties handed to #46 Mitchell and #11 Harper for Widnes, which led to a power-play goal for the Warriors, scored by #44 Kyle Pow from #78 Grigors, giving the warriors a 2-0 edge. Whitley continued to dominate a relatively slow game on home ice, and it was netminder #35 Luca Tessadri who kept the wild in the game at times. However, #16 Mikey Gilbert managed to find the back of the net at 34:36, with a tap in, set up by #63 Joey Coulter and #39 Matty Barlow, reducing the deficit to a single goal. The warriors fought back once more, and put another past Luca, late into the 2nd period at 37:41, finishing the period at 3-1 to the home side.
As soon as the final 20 minutes began, the Wild received 2 quick penalties once more; a holding call on #18 Williamson and a cross-check call on #11 Harper, giving Whitley a 5on3 man advantage. A penalty shot was then awarded to Whitley after a Wild player illegally covered the puck in the crease at 44:36. The warriors elected defenceman #24 Harry Harley to face #35 Tessadri. Harley made no mistake, sending Luca’s bottle flying after the puck hit the top corner to put Whitley ahead 4-1. Widnes battled hard in the remaining 15 minutes of the game, but were unable to get another past #23 Wardell on the night, ending the game at a tough 4-1 loss.
MVPs were given to Canadian import #44 Kyle Pow for the Warriors, and player-coach #63 Joey Coulter for the Wild, following his assist and valid effort during the game.
Officials: Ellis, Campbell, Arnold
Widnes Wild vs Blackburn Hawks 24.09.23
The YKK Widnes Wild faced the Blackburn Hawks for their 1st ‘derby’ game of the 23/24 season at home, following an away defeat to the Whitley Warriors the previous night. The Wild missed out on forwards #5 Rhys Edwards and #17 Andrew Hopkins, but were boosted forward #21 Damarni James and netminder #32 Harrison Walker for their debut games this season.
Both teams were determined to gain an early lead from the first face-off, and it was the Blackburn Hawks who first achieved that at 1:05 by #88 Adam Barnes from #80 Streetly and #96 Jurinenoks. The Wild were then handed a 5on3 man advantage after #12 Ethan Mayoh and #98 Sam Warnock both headed to the box. However, Widnes remained a goal behind after both penalties had expired. Shortly after, Wild captain #84 Tom Jackson was given a 2 minute delay of game penalty, and the Hawks doubled their lead through #28 James Riddoch at 12:10. Riddoch then fired the puck over #32 Walker once more at 16:10 to give the hawks a healthy 0-3 lead from 24 shots after 20 minutes.
Widnes battled hard at the start of the 2nd period, but all momentum was halted just 4 minutes in, after Blackburn’s #96 Jurinenoks fell awkwardly onto the ice in front of his bench. The game was delayed for over 15 minutes, with the players leaving the ice to allow Jurinenoks the best and most efficient care. Play resumed and it took both sides a while to settle back into the game, but the hawks found their edge first and extended their lead to 0-4 at 31:45 with #20 Lutwyche. Widnes failed to get the first past Hawks’ netminder Thomasson again in the 2nd, leaving the score at 0-4 from 40 minutes.
The Hawks found themselves in the penalty box once more early in the 3rd but the opportunities couldn’t be punished by the Wild after the strong defensive efforts of Blackburn. Widnes managed to keep the Hawks under control for the remainder of the game, with both teams being on the PK several times, but #66 Royds posted the puck through the slot of Walker’s post on the backhand at 58:44 to seal a 0-5 victory for his team.
MVPs were presented on the night by Wayne Boardman for his 60th birthday. Young Scottish D-man Owen Rae received the award for the Wild and #35 Thomasson was credited with his shut-out for the hawks.
Your YKK Widnes Wild are back in action on Sunday 1st October, with an away game against the Nottingham Lions at the National ice centre, 7:20pm face-off. Seats for the coach will be available to reserve soon.
Officials: Anderson, Kolarz, Wheeler
Article written by Fleur Tobin