Monday, 23 October 2023

Match Report: Widnes Wild Academy U12 6 - Manchester Storm Academy U12 5

Wild Academy Player Oliver Kitchen was the MVP in the Widnes win over Manchester Storm (Photo by Paul Breeze)

Saturday 21st October – EIHA Under 12 North: Widnes Wild Academy U12s 6 – Manchester Storm U12s 5

The Widnes Wild Academy Under 12 team picked up a 6-5 victory over local rivals Manchester Storm in a thrilling and highly entertaining encounter at Planet Ice Widnes on Saturday.

The Wild took the lead after just 24 seconds with a goal from Ollie Cliffe but Manchester equalised just 30 seconds later.  Caleb Eddleston edged Widnes back in front again in the 8th minute but, once again, the visitors drew level and the score remained 2-2 at the first break.

Two Wild goals within 30 seconds of each other – both from Oliver Kitchen – looked to have put daylight between the two teams but a further brace from the Storm levelled the score once again.  A second goal from Eddleston with 3 minutes left in the period gave Widnes a slim margin and the score stood at 5-4 after two periods.

A goal from Heiko Petrusevicius on 39 minutes restored the two goal advantage but Manchester hit back once again and narrowed the lead to just one goal.  The remaining 9 minutes were very tense as both teams had their chances but there were no more goals and Widnes held on to record a 6-5 victory.

 *****

The Academy Under 16 team are away to Sutton on Saturday 28th October, 4.30pm face off and the Under 18A team are away to Manchester Storm U18 the same day.

The Under 10s team host a 4 team cross ice tournament on Sunday at Planet Ice Widnes starting at 4.15pm, featuring opposition from Blackburn, Manchester and Deeside, and that is followed by the Under 14 team’s home game against Leeds U14s at 5.50pm.

Admission is free for all spectators to Wild Academy home games at Planet Ice Widnes and fans are encouraged to go along and support the stars of the future.