The YKK Widnes Wild struggled in a 2-6 defeat as they returned home to face Deeside Dragons in the second of two fixtures against their rival’s last weekend.
Like the previous evening, it was Deeside Dragons who took the lead first, at 8:33, when #86 Jake Witkowski received a cross from #46 Charles Phillips and was able to knock the puck into the net from the back post. The second assist on that goal going to #14 Colin Cromie.
The Wild were able to find their equaliser before the first period was over, #8 Flynn Massie on the powerplay at 18:55 finding a way to squeeze the puck between the Dragons netminder and his goalpost, assisted by #17 Andrew Hopkins and #77 Ben McLellan.
Widnes Wild successfully held Deeside Dragons throughout the first period, and headed into the break with the score at an even 1-1. Following the break, at 20:51, Widnes found themselves able to take the lead when Wild #44 Dani Haid’s shot deflected off Dragons #96 Jace Gledhill’s pads and straight into the path of #17 Andrew Hopkins, who taps the puck home to put his team on the advantage.
At 22:26 Dragons #18 Ryan Jones received a five-minute major penalty for a check to the head, as well as game misconduct and headed to the locker room. #17 Dalton Thompson served in the penalty box in his place.
This appeared to fire up the Deeside Dragons team, who took no time finding their equaliser at 22:33 through #86 Jake Witkowski.
The Dragons were determined to get another, increasing their pressure on the Wild side and successfully putting themselves ahead at 34:52 when #61 fired his shot into the Wild net from close range, the assist going to #17 Dalton Thompson.
Widnes Wild kept pushing as they headed into the third period, some great defending from Wild’s #23 Reece O’Brien successfully preventing a wrap around goal from Dragons #44 Bailey Thomas. Both Wild’s #16 Mikey Gilbert and #44 Dani Haid found chances to test the Dragons goaltender #96 Jace Gledhill.
Deeside’s #86 Jake Witkowski completed his hattrick at 51:19 when he received a pass from #14 Colin Cromie and broke solo down the ice. Wild’s #18 Johnathan Williamson stayed with him all the way, but failed to prevent the shot and Dragons took a two goal lead.
At 53:33, Deeside Dragons were awarded a penalty shot after a tripping call on Wild’s #7 Alex Parry. Before the penalty could be taken however, a scuffle occurred between the two team’s benches, resulting in one of the Deeside Dragon’s coaches receiving a game misconduct call and having to exit the game.
When Dragons #86 Jake Witkowski finally stood to take his penalty shot, almost ten minutes had passed since it was awarded, and Wild’s #35 Luca Tessadri once again proved himself crucial between the sticks as he saves #86 Jake Witkowski’s weak penalty shot and keeps the Wild in the game.
The failed penalty was of no matter to Deeside Dragons #86 Jake Witkowski however, who scores immediately off the first face-off after the penalty shot at 53:36, sending his team three goals ahead.
As tensions rose between the two teams, the Dragons continued to pile pressure onto the Widnes Wild, and at 56:33 they put the final nail in the Wild coffin with a sixth goal sent into an almost open back post by #55 Ross Kennedy as he received a pass from #14 Colin Cromie, who bypassed Wild #35 Luca Tessadri. #86 Jake Witkowski picking up an assist to go with his four goals in the final moments of the game.
It was a tough defeat for the Wild, who had shown such character over the past two games to maintain their fight against the Dragons, put their rivals attacking prowess appeared just too strong to hold off.
Article by Carys Wallace
Images by Sandra Koetter