Widnes captain Andrew Hopkins scored three goals over the weekend (Photo by Keith & Jenny Davies)
Saturday 11th January 2025 – NIHL Moralee Division: Leeds Knights 7 – Widnes Wild 2
Sunday 12th January 2025 – NIHL Moralee Division: Widnes Wild 5 – Solihull Barons 7
The Widnes Wild NIHL team got 2025 off to a losing start with a 7-2 defeat away to Leeds Knights on Saturday and then a narrow 5-7 loss at home to Solihull Barons at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday
A win on Saturday would have seen Widnes overtake Leeds in the Moralee Division table and move up to the dizzy heights of 8th place and a play off spot. But it was not to be and goals from Owen Rae and Andrew Hopkins were not enough to stave off a 7-2 defeat.
Unfortunately, the loss – the Wild’s third of the season at the hands of the Moralee Division's newest team – was instead compounded by a surprise win for fellow strugglers Sheffield Scimitars, who beat Hull Jets on penalty shots on Saturday. That win lifted Sheffield back above Widnes in the table, leaving them rock bottom in 10th position.
The Wild put up a much better fight against the visiting Barons on Sunday and, had they had the rub of the green, they might well have got something out of the game.
The score was 3-3 at the end of the closely contested first period, with the Widnes goals coming from Tomas Vyrostek, Matty Barlow and a Penalty Shot from team captain Andrew Hopkins
Hopkins and Barlow both scored again in the second period but three goals for Solihull – who had been boosted by the signing of talented player Zach Yokoyama - took a 5-6 lead into the second interval. Despite numerous chances at both ends, the only goal of the third period fell to Solihull and they were able to celebrate a 5-7 victory.
Despite the defeat, Harry Campbell was impressive in the Widnes goal, keeping out 49 of the 56 shots that he faced - and Will Daley received the MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award for the Wild.
The Widnes Wild NIHL team are next in action this Saturday 18th January when they travel away to face the Nottingham Lions, 1pm face off. They are next at home the week after when they entertain high-flying north-west rivals Blackburn Hawks on Saturday 25th January at Planet Ice Widnes, 7pm face off.
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The Halton Huskies team have announced their first game of the new year. They will play the Beighton Bombers from Sheffield in a challenge match on Sunday 2nd February at Planet Ice Widnes, 6pm face off. Admission is free for all spectators.