The YKK Widnes Wild gained their first home victory in a 5-3 win over Sheffield Scimitars, following a hat trick of goals from captain Andrew Hopkins.
1st Period: 1-1
Widnes Wild started on the front foot from the off, with both #44 Dani Haid and #12 Luke Alston having opportunities to send the home team ahead within the first two minutes of the game.
It was consistent attacks for Wild, and they found themselves on their first power play of the night at 4:16 when Sheffield Scimitars #55 Bailey Challans sat for two minutes following a holding call on Wild’s #17 Andrew Hopkins, pulling him back significantly as he gained ground near the Scimitars’ goal.
The first goal of the game came at 8:31; however, despite the Wild’s dominance, it was scored by the Sheffield Scimitars. Their #7 Joe Matthewman capitalising on some last-ditch defending from the Wild and squeezing the puck past #35 Luca Tessadri in nets. Assisted by #98 Aiden Dancer and #55 Bailey Challans.
The attacks following the goal were a back-and-forth, though Wild continued to look the stronger side. #44 Dani Haid’s shot pinging off the goal post and #18 Johnathan Williamson having a powerful shot saved as the home team searched for their equaliser.
Sheffield Scimitars also had opportunities to extend their lead to two, #81 Benjamin Cutts and #57 Sam Rodgers both having decent opportunities saved by Wild’s #35 Luca Tessadri.
The Wild were awarded their equaliser at 18:15 through #77 Ben McLellan, who was finally able to fire a Wild shot into the top of the Sheffield Scimitars net after a sustained period of Wild attacks, the assists going to #16 Michael Gilbert and #43 William Daley.
2nd Period: 3-2
The first action of the second period, coming at just 20:23, was thrilling for the Widnes Wild as they took the lead of the game for the first time. #17 Andrew Hopkins with a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner of the Sheffield net after receiving the puck from #16 Michael Gilbert.
At 25:47 confrontation broke out on the ice as multiple players from both teams threw down their gloves. This resulted in six coincidental penalties being handed out to four players across the two teams. The first going to Wild’s #77 Ben McLellan and Scimitars’ #24 Euan Williams, who both received five minutes for fighting. The second went to Wild’s #19 Jared Knowles and Scimitars’ #7 Joe Matthewman, who both received two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct and then an additional five minutes for fighting.
The Wild extended their lead to two at 30:45, when #8 Flynn Massie broke down the ice and his rebounded shot was picked up by #44 Dani Haid before being churned into the Scimitars net by #17 Andrew Hopkins.
Sheffield Scimitars got their first powerplay of the game when Wild’s #7 Alex Parry sat for two minutes on a tripping call at 32:26. However their advantage didn’t last long since at 32:34 Scimitars’ #4 Jacob Scott made his way to the box on a two-minute call for boarding.
Following these penalties, Sheffield Scimitars launched a series of decent attacks in the Wild’s third, and finally #55 Bailey Challans is able to get one back for the away team at 34:15, assist by #8 George Crawshaw.
3rd Period: 5-3
Soon into the beginning of the third period, at 40:41, Wild’s #17 Andrew Hopkins headed to the penalty box to serve two minutes for slashing.
Two more coincidental penalties came at 46:20, when Sheffield Scimitars’ #71 Jacob Brammer sat for two minutes for cross-checking and Widnes Wild’s #23 Reece O’Brien sat for two minutes for roughing.
Wild’s #17 Andrew Hopkins completed his hat-trick at 47:54 when he received the puck at the back post of the Scimitars net and used a great piece of skill to slide it into the goal. The assists going to #16 Michael Gilbert and #44 Dani Haid.
Sheffield Scimitars reduced their deficit from two to one at 50:34 when #7 Joe Matthewman broke down the ice quickly and fired his shot into the side netting of the Wild goal, the assist going to #47 Jack Dransfield.
During Sheffield’s persistent attacks, at 53:18, Wild’s #12 Luke Alston served a two minutes penalty for slashing, giving the visitors a prime opportunity to level the game on a powerplay. The Wild defence, however, were able to withstand the pressure and maintain their advantage.
At 56:36, Wild were able to give themselves room to breathe through #7 Alex Parry, who received a well-placed pass from #77 Ben McLellan and was able to go on a solo break down towards the Scimitars goal. He made no mistake with his shot and extended the home team’s lead to two with less than four minutes remaining.
In a last attempt to force the game into overtime, Sheffield Scimitars called a 30-second timeout at 58:48. It wasn’t enough for them to bring back two goals, though and the Wild were able to walk away with their first home victory of the new season.
Match MVPS were awarded to Wild’s #17 Andrew Hopkins for his hat trick of goals and Scimitars’ #57 Sam Rodgers for his consistent attacking chances.
Officials: Ormes, Mackinnon, Key
STATS-
Widnes Wild: Alex Parry 1+0, Michael Gilbert 0+3, Andrew Hopkins 3+0, Robbie Thomson 0+1, William Daley 0+1, Dani Haid 0+2, Ben McLellan 1+1
Luca Tessadri: (14, 10, 14) 38 Shots.
Sheffield Scimitars: Joe Matthewman 2+0, George Crawshaw 0+1, Jack Dransfield 0+1, Bailey Challans 1+1, Aiden Dancer 0+1
Nicholas Winters: (16, 10, 9) 35 Shots.
Article written by Carys Wallace
Images by Ellie Middlehurst