Match Report: Widnes Wild Women 8 – Caledonia Bees 0 (WNIHL Div2 North)

Jennifer Hickey was the Wild Women's MVP against Caledonia (Photo by Paul Breeze) 

27th April 2025 – WNIHL Div2 North: Widnes Wild Women 8 – Caledonia Bees 0

The Widnes Wild women’s team took a step closer to winning the league title with an 8-0 win over Caledonia Bees at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The Edinburgh-based Bees are a new team in the division for this season and are a development team for the Caledonia Steel Queens who play in Division 1. They arrived bottom of the league table, having lost all 11 of their previous games and the Wild Women beat them 4-12 when they ventured north of the border back in December, so this game always seemed likely to be a bit of a home banker.

The match was actually very close in its early stages and a single goal – scored by Leen de Decker on 6 minutes - saw the Wild Women take a very slender 1-0 lead into the first period break.

A second goal for the Wild – from Ellen Tyrer just 90 seconds into the second period settled any nerves that might have been lingering and then a goal from Jennifer Hickey just 60 seconds after that put the Wild Women well and truly in the driving seat.

The score remained 3-0 at the second interval but the flood gates opened in the third period and 5 unanswered goals – from Charlotte Cramp, de Decker again, Phoebe Patient and a brace for Ruth Leopold - saw Widnes sweep to the win.

While the end result was quite conclusive, this was far from a one-sided game and the Bees put in a very good showing. They looked dangerous going forward and Stephanie Drinkwater was called upon to make a number of spectacular saves to secure a first shut out of the season. 

The MVP awards - sponsored this season by niche publishers Ice Hockey Review – were presented by match volunteer Lynda Bird and went to Lily Taylor for Caledonia and Jennifer Hickey for Widnes.

The win means that Widnes remain top of the Division 2 North table with 17 points from 11 games. With title rivals Leeds Roses beating Kingston Diamonds 3-0 at the weekend, the run-in for the league championship remains very tight. Leeds have games in hand to play and need to win them all if they are to have any chance of overtaking Widnes.  The two teams meet in their last game of the league season - in what may well be a title decider - in Bradford on 10th May. 

Widnes Wild Women In League Title Push

The Wild Women celebrate their 2020 title win (Photo by Mo Muir)

The Widnes Wild Women play their last home game of the season this Sunday 27th April when they take on Caledonia Bees at Planet Ice Widnes and their mission is clear. If they can win this game and then win their final league game away at Leeds Roses on 10th May, they will secure the Division 2 North league title.

The Wild Women currently top the Division 2 North league table with 15 points - a playing record of six wins, three draws and one defeat from their 10 games to date. There is a chasing pack of three more teams who are also still in with a chance of the title – perennial challengers Telford Wrekin Raiders, Sheffield Shadows and Leeds Roses. Sheffield and Telford are currently vying for second place and have 14 and 13 points respectively from 10 games. 

Leeds are playing catch up in the fixture list and have 2 games in hand.  The good news for the Wild Women is that the Roses have games against both Telford and Sheffield over the weekend of 3rd and 4th May so it is likely that, depending on those results, one or more of those teams will be played out of the title race by the time Widnes play Leeds the weekend after.

With there only being 12 matches in the league schedule this season, the table is very tight and the title may well be decided by a single point margin or less. This works in Widnes’ favour at present as teams that finish on the same number of points are separated by results in matches played between them. 

With the Wild Women having beaten Sheffield both home and away and also having beaten Telford narrowly at home after a draw away in Shropshire, they would take the top spot if they were to finish on the same number of points as either of those two teams.  

On paper, the home game against Caledonia should be the easier of the two games in the Wild Women’s title run-in.  The Edinburgh-based Bees are a new team in the division for this season and are a development team for the Caledonia Steel Queens who play in Division 1. They are bottom of the league table, having lost all 11 of their games to date, with a goal difference of minus 81.  The Wild Women beat them 4-12 when they ventured north of the border back in December.

But there is no such thing as a certainty in ice hockey and games still need to be won - so the Wild women will need to be at their very best on Sunday.

The away game at Leeds is likely to be a very different kettle of fish entirely and the Wild Women only very narrowly beat them 2-1 in the recent encounter in Widnes. Depending on the other results in the intervening period, the game on 10th May could well be a deciding “winner takes all” clash for the league title.  

The Wild Women previously won the league title in the 2019/20 season.  They finished second in the league in 2022/23.  

WNIHL Div2N Remaining Fixtures:

• Widnes v Caledonia 27th Apr
• Leeds v Kingston 27th Apr
• Leeds v Sheffield 3rd May
• Telford v Leeds 4th May
• Leeds v Widnes 10th May
• Sheffield v Whitley 10th May
• Telford v Kingston 11th May

Deeside Ducks Head Coach Gary Shaw Named Coach Of The Year

Deeside Ducks' Gary Shaw received the Laidler Coach of the Year award from NIHL General Manager Haydn Hunter (Photo by RDG Digital)

Deeside Ducks Head Coach Gary Shaw has been named Coach Of The Year for the Laidler Division in the official NIHL awards, sponsored by The Ice Barn.

Shaw made the 3-name shortlist along with Ian Weedall of Billingham Buccaneers who finished 3rd in the Laidler Division and Ian Brown of Bradford Bulldogs who finished just above the Ducks in 9^th place.

The choice is notable because there was no room for the coaches of the top two teams in the Division – Sutton Sting, who were runners up, and Telford Tigers who went on to win the league, cup and play offs – and clearly demonstrates that, at this level, the development and progression of younger players is just as highly valued as winning trophies.

The shortlist for the Moralee Division comprised of Stephen Foster from Billingham Stars, Dominic Osman from Blackburn Hawks and Andy Daintith & Mike Roddy from Hull Jets - and the award eventually went to Foster, who guided his team to an historic treble of league, cup and play off titles.

The award was presented to Shaw at the NIHL Play Off Weekend in Sheffield and came as a complete surprise to him, as he explains:

“When attending the NIHL Play Offs on Sunday, I was asked to drop the puck for the Division 2 game for which I was glad to accept the honour. While we were waiting, they announced that there was a presentation award they had to give out.”

“They announced that it was for Coach of the Year and I had no idea that I was there for the award as they had kept it under wraps really well and I was shocked that the announcement was made for me.”

“I never thought that I would be nominated for an award like this - I have always maintained that it’s always been about the players’ development throughout my coaching career, and I have never been one to take the accolades for their accomplishments on the ice.”

“I have coached at a few different clubs and have had the enjoyment of starting kids at novice level to players representing England and Great Britain, and this is why I have kept coaching for so long in the game I love so much.”

“I am humbled and proud to be named Coach of the Year, especially for representing my home club at Deeside where I have played and coached for over 40 years.”

Match Report: Connah’s Quay Cobras 2 – Don Valley Vikings 8 (Summer Classic Cup - Elite Group)

Martin Stolicny (left) was the Cobras MVP against Don Valley (Photo by Scott Dutton)

Sunday 13th April 2025 – Summer Classic Cup (Elite Group): Connah’s Quay Cobras 2 – Don Valley Vikings 8 

The Connah’s Quay Cobras suffered their first defeat of their 2025 Summer Classic Cup campaign with a 2-8 reverse at home to Don Valley Vikings at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday.

The two teams had met in the Play Off Final last year where Don Valley won by just one goal so the Cobras had plenty to prove in this match. Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite their way but, despite the final result, the game was quite close for the first two periods.

Connah’s Quay actually scored first, with a goal from Sam Plant in the 6th minute but the Vikings drew level 5 minutes later. They then took the lead themselves on 13 minutes and the score remained 1-2 at the first period break.

Don Valley edged further ahead with another goal 90 seconds into the second period but Connah’s Quay battled on and were rewarded with a Slavo Sykora goal on 36 minutes. The score stood at a finely balanced 2-3 at the second interval and there was still much to play for in the final period.

Don Valley started the third period as they had started the second – with another early goal – and they then extended the lead to 2-5 with a shorthanded goal on 43 minutes. The Cobras were unable to find a way past the staunch Vikings defence and three more unanswered goals gave the visitors a comprehensive victory.

The Connah’s Quay Cobras are next in action on Sunday 4th May when they entertain Leeds Lightning in their next Elite Group game in the Summer Classic Cup at Deeside Leisure Centre. Face off is at 8.30pm and admission is free for all spectators.

Match Report: Widnes Wild Women 2 – Leeds Roses 1 (WNIHL Division 2 North)

Stephanie Drinkwater was the Wild Women’s MVP against Leeds (Photo by Paul Breeze) 

Sunday 13th April 2025 – WNIHL Division 2 North: Widnes Wild Women 2 – Leeds Roses 1

The Widnes Wild Women maintained their Division 2 North title challenge with a hard fought 2-1 win over Leeds Roses at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

This was a very entertaining game to watch – with the result remaining in doubt until the very last seconds - and many observers agreed that it was quite possibly one of the best women’s matches ever seen at the Widnes rink.

Leeds opened the scoring with a goal on 9 minutes and the score remained 0-1 at the first period break. Widnes equalised on 24 minutes with a strike from Ruth Leopold and, despite chances for both teams, the score stood at 1-1 at the second interval.

This game was end to end action throughout, although the Roses had the edge in terms of shots on goal – out-shooting the Wild Women by 49 to 36 over the whole 60 minutes.  However, they came up against Stephanie Drinkwater who was in fine form in the Widnes goal and made a succession of stunning saves, keeping out an impressive 48 of the 49 shots that she faced, for a 97.96 save percentage.

Widnes eventually took the lead on 47 minutes with a goal from Amanda Armstrong, setting up a nail-biting finale. 

Despite the closeness of this game and its significance for the league standings, it was played in good spirit throughout, with very few penalties being awarded.

Just 4 minutes of penalties were handed out to each side over the course of the game and two each of these came in the third period when Widnes were defending their slender lead.

The Wild Women managed to fend off the Leeds assault when they were a player down and were unable to take advantage when the tables were turned with 6 minutes left to play.  

The clock slowly ticked down and, despite a late flurry of pressure from Leeds, Widnes were able to hold on and record an important victory.

The MVP awards - sponsored this season by niche publishers Ice Hockey Review – were presented by match volunteer Lynda Bird and went to Kirsty Hodgins for Leeds and Stephanie Drinkwater for Widnes.

The Wild women now have 6 wins, three draws and one defeat from their 10 league games to date.  The other teams in the mix for the league title have games to catch up on so the table standings for Division 2 are far from clear at present.

Widnes play their last home game of the season on Sunday 27th April when they take on Caledonia Steel Queens at Planet Ice Widnes.  The game has a later than usual face off time of 5.45pm.

They then finish off their regular league schedule with an away game to Leeds Roses on 10th May – which will be played at Bradford Ice Rink due to a lack of available ice time at Leeds.

Deeside Ducks Coach's Comments On Debut Season

Deeside Ducks Head Coach Gary Shaw has given his verdict on the team’s debut season in the Laidler Division. 

Looking back on their first season of league competition, he said:

“The Ducks season - if you look at the league table - seems not to have been a good one. But you have to remember that this team was put together from a range of different abilities - with players playing at rec and Under 19 level and a few older players to help out.

“The goal was to enhance the development of the younger players into senior. We had 16, 17, 18 year olds who had never played at this level and the key was to have the selection of older experienced players help nurture this raw talent and keep them safe on the ice.

“The Ducks had some poor losses but also had some very close games and as the season progressed we were becoming more confident and had started to compete with the other teams that are well established and had players that were very comfortable playing at this level of hockey.

“When we started the season, my only goal was to get them playing together as a unit and be competitive as a team, which we achieved and had as a bonus that the players actually won games.

“The strategy was to develop players and get through the season - which we achieved. We now have 4 or 5 players training with the Dragons each week, as well as the three already signed for them.”

“So, as the first season for the team closes, we now have a group of players that we can progress onto the Dragons in a few years time.”

“From my point of view the season was a success. Looking at the results, maybe not - and I hate to lose - but the amount of players that have improved this year is a big plus. They have earned the wins they achieved, and they have competed all year.”

“I am very happy with how the team has done this season, and looking forward to carry on the progression of these young players and the future Dragons players.”

Shaw also revealed that plans are already well under way for next season: 

“We now already have more players interested in playing for the Ducks and some stronger developed experienced players are interested who will enhance the squad and help develop the young talent further.”

“The squad next year should be stronger in terms of quality and depth and will compete from the very start of the season. Let’s go Ducks!” 

Ducks' Gledhill Named Netminder Of The Month

Jace Gledhill - Netminder Of The Month for February 2025 (Photo by Keith & Jenny Davies)

Rather like buses, you hang around waiting for ages and then two come along in quick succession. 

Following on from Chris Jones’s Player of the Month Award for January, the Ducks can boast another accolade winner in Jace Gledhill, who was named as Netminder of the Month for the Laidler Division for February 2025 by NIHL North Updates.

Regarding Gledhill’s award, NIHL North Updates commented: 

“This goaltender of the month award cannot go to anyone else. Having stepped down from the Dragons to fill in an incomplete Ducks tandem, Jace Gledhill has had one of the best netminding performances in the NIHL this season. Jace netted Deeside two momentous upset victories (half of the team's total wins this season), including a 40-save shutout — his first as a senior — against the 4th-placed Coventry Blaze who have been a force to be reckoned with in 2024/25.”

Match Report: Connah’s Quay Cobras 6 – Riverside Raiders 5 (Challenge Match)

Alex Fisher was the MVP for the Cobras against the Raiders (Photo by Scott Dutton) 

Sunday 30^th March 2025 – Challenge Match: Connah’s Quay Cobras 6 – Riverside Raiders 5

The Connah’s Quay Cobras picked up a narrow 6-5 victory over local rivals Riverside Raiders in a challenge match at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday.

Games between teams from Deeside and Widnes are always keenly contested affairs and this was no different.  When the two teams last met – back in January – they played out a 29 goal thriller with the Raiders just edging it 14-15 and, while this wasn’t quite the same goalfest, it was just as close and the result remained in doubt right to the very end.

After a tense opening phase, the Cobras opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a goal from Alex Fisher.  The lead didn’t last long as Josh Hartson equalised for the Raiders just 2 minutes later and then edged them ahead on 18 minutes.

Connah’s Quay drew level again 90 seconds into the second period with a goal from Paul Jones – who usually plays as netminder but played out on this occasion to give the two less experienced goalies a stint between the pipes in this development game – and they then took the lead at the midway point of the game with a Sam Kennedy strike.

The Raiders levelled again just 72 seconds later with a hat-trick goal from Hartson and Eemeli Vuorohovi fired them back in front on 34 minutes to lead 3-4 at the second period break.

Despite the narrow scoreline, the Cobras had the lion’s share of the play throughout the game and out-shot the Raiders by 46 to 16 over the 60 minutes.  The pressure paid off in the third period as a Ken Valyear goal 90 seconds in put Connah’s Quay back on level terms and Mike Filek fired them back into the lead 44 seconds after that.

The stubborn Raiders refused to give in, however, and they equalised again with a goal from Shawn McBride on 52 minutes, setting up a nerve-jangling finale. The game was settled by a second goal of the game from Ken Valyear on 57 minutes and the Cobras were able to celebrate a narrow 6-5 victory.  

Miles Radford put in an impressive performance in the Raiders goal, stopping 40 of the 46 shots that he faced, while Theo Coulson and Andy Teece shared the netminding for the Cobras, facing 9 and 7 shots respectively to backstop the win.

The MVP awards were presented by match volunteer Olivia Crofts and went to Alex Fisher for Connah’s Quay and Ryan Beardwood for the Raiders.   

The Cobras are back in action on Sunday 13^th April when they entertain Don Valley Vikings in the Summer Classic Cup at Deeside Leisure Centre, 8.30pm face off. The Cobras lost out to the Vikings by a single goal in the play off final last year so this game is likely to be just as closely fought.

The full list of Cobras fixtures for the summer is:

• Sunday 13^th April: home v Don Valley Vikings (Cup), 8.30pm
• Sunday 4^th May: home v Leeds Lightning (Cup), 8.30pm
• Saturday 17^th May: home v Whitley Islanders (Cup), 4.30pm
• Sunday 25^th May: home v TBC (Chall), 8.30pm
• Saturday 7^th June: home v TBC (Chall), 4.30pm
• Saturday 21^st June: away @ Don Valley Vikings (Cup), 8pm
• Saturday 2^nd August: away @ Whitley Islanders (Cup), 12 noon