Nathan Hewitt opened the scoring for the Huskies away at Trafford (photo by David Tattum)
Saturday 2nd March 2024 – Challenge Match: Trafford Thunder 6 – Halton Huskies 5
The Halton Huskies put in a battling performance in their first match of the new recreational season but narrowly lost out 6-5 away to Trafford Thunder at Altrincham on Saturday.
The Huskies opened the scoring in the 4th minute with a goal from Nathan Hewitt and then doubled the lead with a Matt Kohler strike 3 minutes later
Trafford pulled a goal back just 23 seconds after that and then drew level on 12 minutes. A third goal for the hosts saw them take the lead with just 90 seconds to play in the first period and they led 3-2 at the first interval.
This was a very closely fought and entertaining encounter and, while the Huskies actually outshot their hosts by 2 to 1 over the course of the game, it was the Thunder that retained the narrow advantage that they had carried over from the first period.
Trafford scored again on 28 minutes to lead 4-2 but the Huskies pulled a goal back through Edward Ridding at the half way mark. Halton then drew level on 37 minutes with a goal from Jon Lomax but the Thunder cancelled that out with a strike with 33 seconds left on the clock to lead 5-4 after 40 minutes of play.
The third period played out in similar vein with Trafford extending their lead again on 46 minutes and the Huskies pulling a goal back again through Jack Berry with a superb short-handed effort on 52 minutes. That rounded off the scoring for the game and the Thunder were able to hold on to record a narrow 6-5 victory.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards went to former Altrincham Aces league netminder Aran Fox for Trafford – who kept out 55 of the 60 shots that he faced - and Jack Berry for Halton.
The Halton Huskies are next in action on Saturday 30th March when they travel across the Pennines to face the Leeds Warriors in a 9.45pm face off.
Further match dates are:
Sunday 21st April: home v Sheffield Ice Tigers
Saturday 4th May: away @ Blackburn Renegades
Saturday 25th May: home v Blackburn Renegades
Saturday 8th June: home v Manchester Swarm
Sunday 7th July: home v Bradford Cannibals
Saturday 3rd August: home v Leeds Warriors
