The YKK Widnes Wild fell just short in their first derby game of the season, losing 2-7 to their cross-border visitors the Deeside Dragons.
1st period: 1-3
The injury depleted Wild squad took to the ice quickly and #31 Harry Campbell made some key saves to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.
It was the Wild who broke the deadlock first at 7:08 as #6 Kai Hathaway reacted quickest and tapped past Dragons’ goaltender #27 Oliver Booth with Wild #19 Jared Knowles claiming the opening assist.
The Dragons fought back in seconds through #12 Jakub Hajek, who grabbed the equalising goal at 7:18, the assist coming from newest signing #53 Jake Witkowski.
The first penalty of the game was given against ex-wild defenceman’ #9 Will Harper, who received two minutes in the box for boarding handing the Wild the first powerplay of the game.
The Wild showed a strong offensive play and almost took the lead again through #70 Ross Chalmers who received the puck and broke quickly up the ice, taking on three Dragons players alone, but his final shot was sent wide.
On multiple occasions Wild found themselves able to break down the ice, but no shots were able to find the back of the net, even at 16:12 when they found themselves on another powerplay as Deeside’s #22 Karl Bacon sat 2 minutes for elbowing.
At 19:28 the visitors were able to go ahead for the first time, Dragons #55 Ross Kennedy worked his way past the Wild defence and fired top corner past Wild goaltender #31 Harry Campbell whilst #53 Jake Witkowski once again made the assist.
Deeside were able to quickly extend their lead moments later at 19:45, when #12 Jakub Hajek got his second of the game, squeezing the puck over the goal-line past Campbell.
2nd period: 2-5
Deeside Dragons sustained constant pressure on the Wild as the second period began, with Wild’s #20 Bez Hughes serving a two-minute slashing call at 22:28.
It was a successful penalty kill for the Wild as #31 Harry Campbell made a series of great saves to prevent a Deeside goal after Dragon’s #46 Charles Philips sent a powerful shot towards the net.
Widnes served another two-minute penalty moments later when Wild #18 Jonathon Williamson was sent to the bench for holding at 26:13; during this time the Wild were able to maintain an attack on the Dragons goal, forcing Deeside goaltender #27 Oliver Booth into a quick save to prevent Wild’s captain #17 Andrew Hopkins closing the gap.
Wild were able to close the gap to 2-3 at 32:43 when #70 Ross Chalmers came on another quick break down the ice, the play continuing through a delayed penalty, when he successfully cut the puck back to #12 Luke Alston, who fired into the back of the net.
Two minutes later at 34:20 the Dragons extended their lead back to two through #53 Jake Witkowski, assisted by #12 Jakub Hajek, a combination that Deeside had been using successfully throughout the game.
Moments before the end of the second period, the Dragons were able to extend their lead, once through #53 Jake Witkowski, sending the puck past #31 Harry Campbell in the Wild goal, assisted by #46 Charles Philips and #55 Ross Kennedy.
3rd period: 2-7
Deeside Dragons began the third period pushing to maintain the attacking momentum in the game having a shot towards goal as early at 40:27.
Another penalty came at 44:43 when Dragon’s #46 Charles Philips found himself in the box for two minutes after an interference call.
The sustained pressure from Deeside payed off at 48:48 when #53 Jake Witkowski completed his hat-trick, assisted by #12 Jakub Hajek and #55 Ross Kennedy.
Deeside were able to extend their lead further at 51:00 through #7 Alex Parry who pushed the Dragons 5 goals clear to 2-7.
Wild then made the decision to switch goaltender #31 Harry Campbell for #72 Charlie Henry for the remainder of the game.
Tensions rose as the clock ticked down, with both #9 Will Harper and #75 Joe Howie spending two minutes in the box for roughing, followed soon by Dragon’s #11 Billy Perks, who sat for slashing.
Just 12 seconds before the final buzzer, the tensions spilled over seeing Wild’s #19 Jared Knowles and #21 Damarni James being handed 5+game penalties whilst Deeside’s #7 Alex Parry also sat for the same reasons and #22 Karl Bacon received a roughing call.
MVPs were awarded to #12 Luke Alston for the Wild after claiming his 2nd goal in as many games for the Wild. Meanwhile #53 Jake Witowski claimed the title for Deeside after securing a hat-trick in his debut NIHL D1 game.
Officials: Shields, Earl, Woodward.
STATS – (1-3) (1-2) (0-2)
Widnes Wild: Kai Hathaway 1+0, Luke Alston 1+0, Jared Knowles 0+1, Ross Chalmers 0+1
Harry Campbell: (15, 26, 7) 48 Shots.
Charlie Henry: (0, 0, 5) 5 Shots.
Deeside Dragons: Jake Witkowski 3+3, Jakub Hajek 2+2, Ross Kennedy 1+4, Alex Parry 1+0, Will Harper 0+1, Charles Philips 0+1
Oliver Booth: (10, 3, 3) 16 Shots.
Article written by Carys Wallace
Images Ellie Middlehurst