The game got off to a scrappy hectic start. As Wild attacked both Shaun Dipnall and Filip Supa cameclose with shots on Matthew Croyle. Sheffield took the lead at 9.31 when an angled shot from Will Barron, flew past debutant netminder Nicole Jackson. Immediately Filip Supa broke away for the Wild, his shot deflected wide. Widnes were starting to attack with more purpose and after Sheffield took a penalty for too many men on the ice, Wild attacked on the right. A pass to Callum Ruddick saw the big defenceman fire a powerful shot which was tipped in by Supa for the equaliser. The period ended with an altercation and a 2 minute roughing penalty against Sheffield.
The 2nd period opened with both sides counter attacking. It was
Sheffield who took a 2- 1 lead when a low shot from Manning found the net. A
breakaway by Filip Supa in the 27th minute nearly brought the equaliser Widnes
were starting to attack well with the final pass often going astray. The Widnes
equaliser came at 31.09 when Filip Supa fired home. Sheffield regained the lead
at 37.47, a low angled shot from Will Barron on the right, creeping past
Jackson. A minute later a home equaliser from Bez Hughes following good work
from Ratcliffe and Preston, brought the crowd to their feet.
The final period opened with a series of counter attacks. Widnes were
beginning to attack with more purpose and causing Sheffield to clear the zone
hurriedly. However against the run of play Sheffield regained the lead at
49.00. A powerful James Maugham angled shot from distance, flew past Nicole
Jackson into the bottom right corner. Within three minutes Widnes were back on
level terms. Filip Supa was put away on the right by Bobby Caunce and he cut
inside to fire past Brandon Stones for his hat trick goal. The game was won for
Widnes in the 53rd minute, when a great cross ice pass found debutant Matt
Wainwright unmarked on the blue line. His powerful low shot was too much for
Stones and gave Wild a 5- 4 lead.
Both teams continued the battle and the final seconds saw a Bobby
Caunce shot almost find the net. New signing from Blackburn Hawks, Sam Dunford,
took the Wild MVP for a characteristic all action display.
A great start for the Wild , who lost the corresponding game ,against
their lofty opponents , 6 - 1 last season. The atmosphere was heightened by new
game MC. Vince Bullock , an experienced hand formerly with Manchester Storm.
Wild return to the ice for another home challenge game, when the
Bristol Pitbulls from the Southern division make a rare journey North on Sunday
August 24th - face off 18.15.
Dick Gillingham
Photos:
Filip Supa celebrates his hat-trick goal (top)
GB International netminder Nicole Jackson makes a save (bottom)
Photos by Geoff White - www.gw-images.co.uk
