Wild netminder Luca Tessadri scored a rare goal against Whitley Warriors (Photo by Ste Cunningham)
Sunday 8th October – Moralee Division: Widnes Wild 5 – Whitley Warriors 2
The Widnes Wild NIHL team brought their recent 3-game losing streak to an end with a superb 5-2 victory over Whitley Warriors at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.
The game saw Wild debuts for three more young Scottish players – Innes Gallacher, Connor McNulty and Torran Anderson - who have all signed on 2-way deals with Scottish National League side Kilmarnock Thunder.
The game was very close throughout with chances for both sides and the first goal did not come until late in the first period.
With less than two minutes left on the clock and the Wild defending a 5 on 4 powerplay for too many men on the ice, netminder Luca Tessadri fired a clearance down the rink and the Whitley defender - under pressure - managed to steer the puck into his own net.
There is no such thing as an “own goal” in ice hockey and the goal is, therefore, awarded to the last attacking player to have touched the puck – in this case, Wild netminder Tessadri. Netminders do not a score goal very often so this was quite a rare occurrence.
The score remained 1-0 at the first break but Whitley equalised just 2 minutes into the second and it took until the 36th minute for Widnes to edge back in front again with a debut goal from Innes Gallacher.
With the score standing at a very close 2-1, there was much to play for in the final period.
A second goal of the night from Gallacher on 50 minutes finally put daylight between the two teams but this was countered by another Whitley strike just 4 minutes later.
The 2-goal cushion was restored two minutes after that with a goal from Joey Coulter and a hat-trick goal from Gallacher on 58 minutes made sure of the win for the Wild.
The Wild are next in action this Sunday 15th October when they entertain league leaders Billingham Stars at Planet Ice Widnes, 5.30pm face off.
