The first period opened with a series of minor penalties with Widnes
taking most of them. Nottingham were taking advantage of the extra numbers and
they went 1 - 0 ahead at 11.32 with a tip in from the edge of the crease. As
the period progressed, Wild came more into it as an attacking force with Brown,
Pollitt, Dunford and Supa all causing problems. Rebounds off the Nottingham
netminder were not put in the net.
Widnes came back into the game with an equaliser from close in by Lee
Pollitt had broken away down the right at 24.51. Three almost identical goals
took Nottingham well clear between the 29th and 32nd minutes. All three
involved an unmarked man firing home from close range, when the puck came in
from the corners. In the 34th minute an altercation behind the Widnes net saw
Dan Bracegirdle and a Nottingham player battling on the boards. It followed a
follow up slash on Greg Ruxton as he made a low save.
The final period saw a spirited comeback from the Wild . Shaun Dipnall
found the net in the 43rd minute and as Widnes came back strongly Nottingham
broke away to make it 5- 2. Chris Preston broke away on the right before firing
home to make it 5 -3. In the final minute the outstanding Filip Supa made it 5-4 with a
long range slap shot. This was a much improved performance from a Widnes side
missing key players.
Report by Dick Gillingham
Photo by Geoff White - www.gw-white.co.uk
