The game opened at a furious pace and in the 2nd minute Chris Preston
took a 2 minute holding penalty. As Widnes returned to 5 skaters, they opened
the scoring when Filip Supa lobbed the puck past Laverick after good work from
Bobby Caunce
After two good saves from Laverick, Widnes went further ahead. A
powerful shot from the blue line by Pavel Vales was half saved but still crept
past Laverick. A third goal came at 7.55 when an angled shot from the right was
half saved and Filip Supa managed to force the puck home. Coventry immediately
called a time out and immediately the game developed into a more even contest.
At 9.40 Coventry opened their account when a Phillip Pollock shot beat Ruxton.
Widnes continued to press and only a series of good saves from Laverick
prevented more Widnes goals.
The second period opened with a much more determined and aggressive
Coventry bossing affairs. It came as no surprise when Dale White added a second
goal for the visitors. His high angled shot flew past Ruxton into the far wall
of the net Coventry junior Mulcahey was having a big influence on the game,
opening up the Widnes defence with shrewd passes.
At 33.27, a number of players became embroiled in an incident after
Greg Ruxton had made a diving save in front of his net. Frustrations boiled
over and three players went to the penalty box for 2 minute roughing penalties.
With a man advantage, Widnes enjoyed a brief spell of control but they ended the
period defending hard against waves of Coventry pressure.
The third period was one of great frustration for the Wild. Within the
first six minutes, an error bringing the puck out of defence saw possession
turned over the giant figure of James Pease firing past Ruxton for the
equaliser. Inside a minute Coventry were in the lead. After heavy Widnes
pressure, two searching passes out of defence saw the puck with Dale White, who
beat Greg Ruxton with an accurate shot.
Going behind spurred Widnes on. Laverick made a terrific stop at the
foot of the right post, followed by another blistering effort which hit the
bar. Dunford, Supa, Caunce and Pollitt all went close. Laverick made a terrific
save to stop the puck flying into the top left corner from Bobby Caunce and Lee
Pollitt hit the post after breaking away on the right. Sadly, pressure didn't
produce the end result.
Lee Pollitt took the MVP for Wild after an all action display.
After such a good start in the game, the final result came as a huge
disappointment to players and coaching staff.
The next home game with be against a much improved Sheffield Senators
on Saturday October 11th - face off 19.00.
The new ' Chuck A Duck ' game organised in the 2nd interval by the
newly formed Supporters Club - the Wild Ones - is proving to be a huge success
and fundraiser. Dozens of youngsters and adults lined up along the plexiglass
walls to try and throw their duck closest to match mascot Pukka the penguin !
by Dick Gillingham
Photo by Geoff White - www.gw-images.co.uk
