Sport
| Published date | 22 October 2021 |
As expected play was fast and physical from the off with players battling for every puck. There were chances at both ends early on, Sharks' netminder Calum Hepburn and Warriors counterpart Dean Bowater being kept busy. It was Warriors who took an early lead, Rolands Gritans scoring from short range at 8.40, assisted by Shaun Kippin and Callum Watson much to the delight of the noisy Whitley fans.
Not downhearted, Sharks kept battling and it wasn't long before the equalizer came, courtesy of Andrew Craik with his first senior Sharks goal. Scott Crane battled for the puck against the boards behind Warriors net and sent a looping pass over their defence to find Craik perfectly placed in front of the net and he slid it under Bowater to the back of the net at 14.03.
Buoyed, Sharks kept the momentum going and another goal soon followed, Iain Bowie crossing the puck to Scott Henderson who made himself space and his fast glove-side shot beat Bowater to put Sharks ahead at 17.31. The game played out to the break with no further scoring and the period ended Warriors 1 Sharks 2.
The second period saw play progress with the same intensity, Warriors equalizing at 24.24 through forward Callum Queenan who tipped in defenceman Steven Chalmers' long range shot to make it 2-2, Warriors captain Dean Holland also assisting.
Despite reclaiming their foothold in the contest, the Warriors' discipline waned but Sharks were unable to capitalise on the powerplay opportunities.
As the period progressed there were again more chances but it was another powerplay that saw Sharks regain the lead. Iain Bowie won the face off in Sharks' zone and fed the puck to Liam Stenton who took off through the Warriors defence and sent the puck over Bowater's shoulder at 39.15. The period buzzer seconds later saw Sharks again in the lead, Warriors 2 Sharks 3.
With all to play for in the third, both teams were fired up. After testing Hepburn in the opening minutes, the Warriors found themselves with a twogoal deficit to contend with. Shorthanded Sharks stretched their lead as a Bentham clearance saw the puck slide loose behind Warriors' net, allowing Callum Boyd to collect the puck unchallenged before playing in...
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