The YKK Widnes Wild took another home defeat against Blackburn Hawks as they lost 2-6 in their final game of January.
1st period: 0-1
It was Blackburn Hawks that started the game with the most intent, winning possession off the Wild, who had gained the first spell off the opening faceoff, and breaking quickly down the ice. The first chance of the game fell to the visitors at 1:25 when Blackburn’s #9 Matty Cross took a long range shot on Wild’s #31 Harry Campbell, who deflects the shot away to keep the game scoreless.
Widnes Wild’s #38 Tomas Vyrostek created the first sight of goal for his team at 2:36, when he carried the puck down the ice and sent it flying across goal towards #16 Michael Gilbert who couldn’t get the final connection to send the team in front. Wild had another opportunity at 5:09 once again through#16 Michael Gilbert; with Blackburn’s #92 Petr Valusiak sat for two minutes due to high sticking, Gilberts shot got knocked right into the path of Wild’s #46 Dani Haid, who almost bundles the puck into the goal.
The period continued with Blackburn Hawks dominating possession, but with similar chances falling to both teams.
The visitors served their second penalty of the evening at 7:46 when they got 2 minutes for having too many players on the ice.
The Wild were able to capitalise on their advantage late into the powerplay at 8:53, when #64 Flyn Massie took the puck up the ice; with both #38 Tomas Vyrostek and #16 Michael Gilbert taking shots at Hawks #34 Ben Keddie, who saves both shots before the Hawks defencemen knock the puck clear.
The Blackburn Hawks opened the scoring at 10:39 when #88 Adam Barnes skilfully weaved his way around the Wild’s defence and sent #31 Harry Campbell the wrong way, allowing him the slip the puck into the back of the net for 0-1; #20 Jacob Lutwyche and #91 Andy McKinney getting the assists.
Blackburn had the opportunity to go up by 2 at 13:25 when #20 Jacob Lutwyche took a close range shot on goal, however Wild’s #31 Harry Campbell was more than equal to it and knocked the puck away easily. Wild’s #38 Tomas Vyrostek had the team’s best chance at an equaliser during the 1st period when he found himself space in front of the Hawks goal, but his shot ricocheted off the pads of #34 Ben Keddie and no one was able to follow up the rebound.
Hawks had a decent shot moments later at 16:57 as #88 Adam Barnes broke down the ice and fired at #31 Harry Campbell, who caught the shot and stopped the attack. The Widnes Wild took the final chance of the 1st period at 19:48 when #55 Owen Rae’s shot was scrambled around the goal mouth before eventually being cleared by the Hawks defence as the final action.
2nd period: 0-3
Widnes Wild started the 2nd period strongly, with #39 Matthew Barlow almost creeping a shot into the back corner of the net at 20:55, Blackburn Hawks #34 Ben Keddie shifting himself just in time for the shot to knock off his shoulder.
Moments later at 21:19 Blackburn were on the attack, Wild’s #31 Harry Campbell drawing on his quick reactions to barely keep the puck out of the net as the Hawks push for their second.
The Hawks pushed to maintain their control of the game as they aimed for a second goal through #72 Daragh Spawforth who’s deflected shot narrowly flew past the Wild goal.
Blackburn Hawks found their second at 26:28 once again through #88 Adam Barnes, the assists going to #70 Lee Pollitt and #28 James Riddoch, rewarding the Hawks for their consistent pressure at the beginning of the period.
Hawks #88 Adam Barnes claimed his hattrick at 30:17 when he was able to turn the puck into the Wild net behind #31 Harry Campbell, #91 Andy McKinney and #9 Matty Cross with the assists to put their team three ahead.
Not long after, at 31:18 and 31:23, Blackburn Hawks faced multiple two minutes penalties, the first issued to the bench for having too many players on the ice, and the second to #11 Luke Watson for tripping, leaving the Wild with a two-player advantage that they unfortunately couldn’t capitalise on.
The Hawks weathered through their two penalties to get themselves a third goal of the period, and a fourth overall at 34:12 when #11 Luke Watson, returning to the ice, latched onto the puck to halt a Wild attack and drive him team up the ice, playing through #92 Petr Valusiak for his only goal of the game.
The Widnes Wild created a great opportunity at 39:29 to end the period, but the chipped shot was caught straight by the Hawks goaltender #34 Ben Keddie.
3rd period 2-2
The Hawks were close to extending their lead straight off the start of the final period, when #88 Adam Barnes missed an open goal following a rebounded shot from his teammate.
Widnes Wild came out of the gates with encouraging determination given their struggles in the previous periods, with #18 Jonathan Williamson firing a fast-paced shot at the Hawks goal at 42:51.
As the game became more frantic for the Wild, both #38 Tomas Vyrostek and #31 Harry Campbell were sat for 2 minutes, for interference and slashing respectively.
Blackburn Hawks were able to use their powerplay at 46:41 to gain a five- goal lead as #20 Jacob Lutwyche slotted in a top corner shot, the assists going to #88 Adam Barnes and #91 Andy McKinney.
The Wild came very close to a first goal at 48:29 after Hawks goaltender #34 Ben Keddie sent the puck into the path of Wild’s #64 Flynn Massie, who is able to get his shot away on the open net, but a diving save from Ben Keddie scrambles the puck away.
Another penalty was handed out as Wild’s #20 Berwyn Hughes received 2 minutes for slashing at 53:06.
However, despite being a man down, the Wild were able to pull on back when #46 Dani Haid went alone down the ice and fired past #34 Ben Keddie in the Hawks net to get his team off the mark, #75 Joe Howie with the assist.
Moments later the Wild had another goal, #20 Berwyn Hughes returning to the ice and easily knocking the puck into the Hawks net following the restart, #39 Matthew Barlow getting the assist for 2-5.
In response, following the two quick Widnes Wild goals, at 55:25 Blackburn Hawks scored their 6th, #88 Adam Barnes once against getting the goal, with #91 Andy McKinney getting the assist.
The final action of the game was at 58:48 when Wild #17 Andrew Hopkins was sat for 2 minutes on an interference penalty.
Match MVPS went to Blackburn Hawks #88 Adam Barnes for his dominant four goals and one assist, whilst the YKK Widnes Wild’s #38 Tomas Vyrostek took it for the home team after his relentless performance for his team.
Officials: Shields, Ward, Staniforth
STATS- (0-1) (0-3) (2-2)
Widnes Wild: Berwyn Hughes 1+0, Matthew Barlow 0+1, Dani Haid 1+0, Joe Howie 0+1
Harry Campbell: (19, 19, 16) 54 Shots.
Logan Reid (0, 0, 7) 7 Shots.
Blackburn Hawks: Matty Cross 0+1, Luke Watson 0+1, Jacob Lutwyche 1+1, James Riddoch 0+1, Lee Pollitt 0+1, Adam Barnes 4+1, Andy McKinney 0+4, Petr Valusiak 1+0
Ben Keddie: (11, 14, 11) 36 Shots.
Article written by Carys Wallace
Images Ellie Middleton