Match Report: Widnes Wild Women 1 – Caledonia Steel Queens 7 (WNIHL Division 1 North)

Charlotte McAdam was the Wild Women's MVP against Caledonia (Photo by Paul Breeze)

Sunday 26th October 2025 – WNIHL Division 1 North: Widnes Wild Women 1 – Caledonia Steel Queens 7

The Widnes Wild Women put in a plucky performance in their second home game of the new WNIHL season, losing out 1-7 to the Caledonia Steel Queens at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday

While any defeat is always disappointing, this result needs to be put into its correct context as the Wild Women are playing in a higher division this season – having won the Division 2 North title last season. They lost away 16-1 to the same opposition up in Edinburgh a few weeks ago, so this would have to be looked upon as an improvement.

The game saw Wild Women debuts for Tayla Huxley-Richards - a former Deeside junior – and Olivia Clough, who are both playing on a 2-way arrangement with the Manchester Storm women’s team.

Despite the final result Widnes didn’t play badly in this game.  While the Steel Queens were clearly on top for lengthy spells, the Wild Women did put together some good plays themselves and, on another day – with the rub of the green – might well have scored a few more goals.

As it was, it took the Steel Queens 8½ minutes to break down the stubborn Wild defence and score their first goal.  A second goal followed on 14 minutes but the 0-2 scoreline at the first period break still looked quite respectable. 

A third Caledonia goal followed on 28 minutes and two more on 32 and 35 minutes began to give the game a more one-sided look than it necessarily deserved.

Widnes fans were finally given something to cheer about at 36.15 when Lise Gillen fired in a well-taken unassisted goal to break the home duck for the game.  

Unfortunately, the Wild Women were not able to build on this breakthrough and the score stood at 1-5 at the second interval. 

Two more goals in the third period – one on 42 minutes and another with just 43 seconds left on the clock – extended the Caledonia lead but Stephanie Drinkwater put in an heroic display in the Widnes net to keep the score down. Over the course of the game, she faced 67 shots, of which she stopped an impressive 60 for an 89.6 Save Percentage. 

The MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards are once again this season being sponsored by niche publishers Ice Hockey Review and were presented by Lynda Bird.  They went to Molly McGillian for Caledonia and Charlotte McAdam for Widnes.

The Wild Women are next in action on Sunday 9th November when they play Sheffield Shadows away in the Steel City. They are next at home on Sunday 23rd November when they take on Kingston Diamonds at Planet Ice Widnes, 4.25pm face off.

Deeside Dragons v Hull Jets Weekend Report (NIHL Moralee Division)

Colin Cromie in action for the Dragons away at Hull (Photo by Vince Cowell Photography)

Saturday 25^th October 2025 – NIHL Moralee Division: Hull Jets 4 – Deeside D1 Dragons 3

Sunday 26^th October 2025 – NIHL Moralee Division: Deeside D1 Dragons 2 – Hull Jets 1

The Deeside Dragons had a mixed weekend with losing 4-3 away to Hull Jets on Saturday and then beating the same opposition 2-1 at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday.

The away game on Saturday was very closely matched in terms of puck possession and shots on goal and the first period played out goal-less.

There were quite a few niggly penalties in this game and things all went wrong for Deeside early in the second period when they conceded three powerplay goals within 90 seconds of each other and suddenly found themselves 3-0 down.

Rhys Edwards eventually pulled a goal back on 29 minutes but the score remained at 3-1 at the second interval and the Dragons had some catching up to do.

They battled valiantly to try and claw their way back into the game but went further behind to a fourth Hull goal on 49 minutes.

The score was still 4-1 to the hosts as the final minute approached and Deeside withdrew netminder Tyler de la Bertouche in favour of an extra attacker.

The tactic paid off – to a certain extent - as Jake Witkowski fired in a goal with 28 seconds left on the clock to narrow the deficit and then Colin Cromie scored straight from an icing face off at 59.59 - but it was too late to salvage anything from the game.

Sunday’s game saw former Dragons’ favourites Cameron Kushnirenko and Chris Jones drafted into the team - from the Division 2 team where they have been playing this season – as emergency cover due to injuries and other player unavailability.

As the score suggests, this was another close game with little to choose between the two teams.

It took until the 18^th minute for the first goal and that fell to Bailey Thomas – and saw the Dragons take a narrow 1-0 lead into the first break.

Colin Cromie doubled the Deeside lead 7 minutes into the second period with a powerplay goal punishing a Hull tripping call but a series of penalties prevented them further building on this. Hull pulled a goal back on 36 minutes – also on a powerplay - and the game remained on a knife edge at 2-1 at the second interval.

Despite opportunities for both teams in the third period, the rest of the game played out goalless and the Dragons were able to hold on and celebrate a narrow 2-1 victory.

In the Deeside net, Tyler de la Bertouche turned away 26 of the 27 shots that he faced and was named MVP for the Dragons. 

After the weekend games, the Dragons remain in third place in the Moralee Division table with 20 points from their 10 games to date. Solihull Barons have taken over at the top of the table following a string of impressive results and have 25 points from 9 games and Blackburn Hawks are now in second place on 24 points with an unbeaten record of 8 wins from 8 starts.

The Dragons have back to back matches against Telford Tigers - who are just 2 points behinds them in the league table with three games in hand - this coming weekend

The away game is in Shropshire on Saturday 1^st November and the home game at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday 2^nd November, 5.15pm face off.

Match Report: Kingston Sharks 3 – Deeside D2 Dragons 8 (NIHL Laidler Division)

Noah Percival scored a hat-trick away at Kingston (Photo by Paule Mayoh)

Saturday 25^th October 2025 – NIHL Laidler Division: Kingston Sharks 3 – Deeside D2 Dragons 8

The Dragons D2 team picked up their second win of the Laidler Division season with a 3-8 victory away over Kingston Sharks at Hull Arena on Saturday.

James Shaw opened the scoring for the Dragons on 5 minutes and then scored again just 5 seconds later straight from the ensuing face off.

Kingston hit back with two goals of their own late in the period to tie the score at 2-2 at the first break but the Dragons edged back into the lead again on 24 minutes with a goal from Cody Ogden.

Player coach James Parsons extended the advantage on 29 minutes and two goals from Noah Percival and one from Andrew Chappell saw the Dragons go 2-7 ahead with 3 minutes left to play in the period.

Kingston pulled a goal back 90 seconds from the buzzer  but Deeside had a healthy 3-7 lead at the second interval.

The only goal of the third period fell to Percival on 53 minutes for his hat-trick and saw the Dragons cruise to a 3-8 victory.

The wins see the Dragons move up into 7^th place in the Laidler Division table with 6 points from their 7 games so far this season.

Although they are way off the pace at the top of the table – 21 points behind early season league leaders Sheffield – they currently sit above Bradford and Nottingham, who both finished above the erstwhile Ducks Division 2 team last season.

The D2 Dragons are without a game this weekend but are back in action on Saturday 8th November when they play the return match against the Sharks at Deeside Leisure Centre, 5.15pm face off.

Match Report: Deeside Dragons 5 – Solihull Barons 9 (NIHL Moralee Division)

Charles Phillips was on target for the Dragons against Solihull (Photo by Emilia Roberts Photography)

 Sunday 19th October – NIHL Moralee Division: Deeside Dragons 5 – Solihull Barons 9

The Deeside Dragons dropped down to 3rd place in the Moralee Division table after a frustrating 5-9 defeat at home to Solihull Barons at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday.

The game started badly for Deeside as Solihull opened the scoring on 5 minutes and then doubled their advantage 6 minutes later.

However, Jake Witkowski opened the Dragons account just 17 seconds after that and a goal from Matty Barlow on 17 minutes saw the teams level at 2-2 at the first period break.

Solihull edged back into the lead just 30 seconds into the second period and opened up a 2 goal lead again 3 minutes later. Once again, the Dragons hit back with goals from Charles Phillips and Ryan Jones – his first of the season - to draw level but the Barons scored yet again to get their noses back in front.

Witkowski fired home to level the game at the midway stage but another Barons goal on 32 minutes saw the visitors leading 5-6 at the second interval.

The Dragons got into penalty trouble in the third period and a succession of niggly calls saw them concede three powerplay goals, which fired the Barons into what turned out to be an unassailable position with 11 minutes left to play.

Deeside continued to battle but were unable to get past the stubborn Solihull defence and no more goals were scored in the game.

The 5-9 win saw Solihull move above Deeside in the league table, 2 points clear in second place, and Telford Tigers are now snapping on the Dragons’ heels in 4^th place, following their weekend win over Leeds - 2 points behind but with two games in hand.

The Dragons travel to Hull and back this Saturday 25^th October to take on the Hull Jets – 5.30 pm face off – and then play the same opposition at home on Sunday at Deeside Leisure Centre, 5.15pm start.

The Dragons D2 team also play away in Hull on Saturday with a 12 noon face off against the Kingston Sharks. They are next at home on Saturday 8^th November when they take on the Sharks at Deeside Leisure Centre.

 

Matty Barlow Named Deeside Dragons Player of the Month for September

Matty Barlow is the Dragons first 
Player of the Month 
(Photo by Paul Breeze)

The Steel 4 Structures Deeside Dragons have introduced a new Player of the Month Award for this season and the first winner is….. Matty Barlow!

Talking about the choice of Barlow for the September award, Dragons Head Coach Mike Clancy said:

“It’s never easy for a player to settle quickly after changing clubs, but Matty has made the transition look seamless. Since joining the Deeside Dragons, he has embraced the challenge and had a huge impact both on and off the ice.”

“His on-ice contribution in the opening six games of the season speaks volumes — 8 goals and 13 assists — a tally that highlights not only his goal-scoring instinct but also his ability to create opportunities for team-mates. His speed, vision, and work ethic have already made him a key figure in the Dragons’ attack and become a huge fans favourite.”

“Beyond the numbers, Matty’s positive attitude and leadership have helped set the tone in the dressing room. He has quickly become a driving force for the team, inspiring both experienced players and younger prospects alike.”

“With such a strong start, there’s no doubt this could be one of Matty’s most exciting and memorable seasons to date.”

Barlow received the September Player Of The Month Award before the Dragons’ home game against Leeds Knights on Sunday. The presentation was made by trophy sponsor and award organiser Paul Breeze, of the Ice Hockey Review grass-roots news website and publisher.

Bradford Bulldogs 6 - Deeside D2 Dragons 4 (NIHL Laidler Division)

Kieran Clarkson was the Dragons D2 MVP away at Bradford (Photo by Bradford Bulldogs IHC)

Sunday 12^th October – NIHL Laidler Division: Bradford Bulldogs 6 Deeside D2 Dragons 4

The Deeside Dragons D2 team put in a battling performance away to Bradford Bulldogs, narrowly losing out 6-4 on Sunday.

They were 3-0 down after the first period but rallied in the second and goals from James Shaw (2), James Parsons and Charlie Spridgeon drew them level at 4-4 by the midway point of the game. 

They couldn’t maintain this form, however, and two unanswered goals handed the Bulldogs the win.

The D2 Dragons are away in Hull on Saturday 25^th October and are next at home on Saturday 8^th November when they take on the Kingston Sharks at Deeside Leisure Centre.

Deeside Dragons v Leeds Knights Weekend Report (NIHL Moralee Division)

Colin Cromie was the Dragons MVP after his 5-goal haul on Sunday (Photo by Emilia Roberts Photography)

Saturday 11^th October – NIHL Moralee Division: Leeds Knights 4 - Deeside Dragons 3

Sunday 12^th October – NIHL Moralee Division: Deeside Dragons 14 – Leeds Knights 2

The Deeside Dragons had a mixed weekend with a narrow 4-3 defeat away to Leeds Knights on Saturday and then a 14-2 trouncing of the same opposition on Sunday at Deeside Leisure Centre.

The away game on Saturday saw a Dragons debut for new signing Damarni James – who has played for the past two seasons with local rivals Widnes Wild.

The game in Leeds started badly for Deeside as the hosts took the lead after just 58 seconds. They scored again on 8 minutes and took a 2-0 lead into the first period break.

Two minutes into the second period, Leeds scored again to extend their lead to 3 but Deeside were having more of the play by then and were eventually rewarded with a Jake Witkowski goal on 28 minutes.

A second Dragons goal - from Charles Phillips on 36 minutes – narrowed the deficit to just one and the teams went into the second interval with the game finely poised at 3-2.

Deeside noticeably upped their game in the third period as they pushed forward, trying to force an equalising goal.  They outshot Leeds by an impressive 19 to 4 but were caught out by another Knights goal on 45 minutes.

Despite sustained Deeside pressure, the score stubbornly remained 4-2 to Leeds heading into the final minutes. Then, just when Deeside were hoping to make a last push, they picked up a penalty for a face off violation, meaning that they would have to play the rest of the game a man down.

They withdrew their netminder for the last minute in order to have an extra attacker on the ice and this tactic paid off with a goal from team captain Jared Dickinson with 12 seconds left on the clock.  Unfortunately, it came too late to spark a late rally and the Dragons slumped to their first defeat of the league season.

Saturday’s disappointment was quickly forgotten, however, as the Dragons put in a superb performance, hammering the Knights in the home encounter less than 24 hours later.

Damarni James set the ball rolling in his first home game at the Den as he opened the scoring for the Dragons in the 3^rd minute and it was 2-0 to Deeside 2 minutes later courtesy of a Charles Phillips goal.

Further strikes from Jake Wikowski, Jared Dickinson and Colin Cromie saw the Dragons leading 5-0 at the first period break.

The second period started in similar vein with two more goals from Cromie for a straight hat-trick, another from Witkowski and one for Matty Barlow.

The Dragons hit the post and the bar several times and, with rebounds pinging off the beleaguered Leeds netminder left, right and centre, it looked as if they might accrue a cricket score.

However, Leeds then managed to score two goals of their own – against the run of play – but Jake Witkowski allayed any possible Deeside jitters with his hat trick goal in the very last second of the period.

The Dragons dominance continued in the third period and goals from Matt Wainwright, Witkowski again and two more for Cromie rounded off a comprehensive victory, with Cromie being deservedly awarded the MVP award for his 5-goal haul.

The weekend results mean that the Dragons remain in second place in the Moralee Division table, now just one point behind leaders Blackburn Hawks, who were without a game.

They have played one game more than Blackburn, however, and Solihull Barons – lurking menacingly one point behind them in third place - also have a game in hand over the Dragons.

Interestingly enough, those two sides will meet for the first time this season this coming Sunday 19^th October when Solihull Barons are the visitors to Deeside Leisure Centre, 5.15pm face off.  

Deeside Dragons v Widnes Wild Weekend Report (NIHL Moralee Division)

Jake Witkowski scored 7 goals for Deeside over the weekend (Photo by Emilia Roberts Photography)

Saturday 4^th October – NIHL Moralee Division: Deeside Dragons D1 4 – Widnes Wild 3 (OT)

Sunday 5^th October – NIHL Moralee Division: Widnes Wild 2 - Deeside Dragons D1 6

The Deeside Dragons D1 team had a winning weekend with back to back victories against local rivals Widnes Wild, winning 4-3 at home in overtime on Saturday and 2-6 in the away fixture on Sunday.

Because of the relative proximity between the two teams, and a regular interchange of players over the years, these games are always robustly competed and passionate affairs – and the two weekend fixtures were no exception.

In the home game on Saturday, Deeside had the upper hand for much of the game – outshooting the Wild by over 2 to 1 - but had trouble getting past the Widnes netminder, who was in fine form.

The deadlock was eventually broken with a goal from Jake Witkowski on 11 minutes and the Dragons took a narrow 1-0 lead into the first period break.

The second period was just as tense and, as time ticked by, both sides began to pick up niggly penalties. Widnes levelled the score on 35 minutes with a powerplay goal on a Deeside cross-checking call and then took the lead with just 37 seconds left to play.

Things swung the way of the Dragons early in the third period when Charles Phillips fired in an equalising goal on 43 minutes and then 5 minutes later Jake Witkowksi edged Deeside back into the lead with a penalty shot after a Widnes slashing call.

Just as it looked as if the Dragons had done enough to win the game, Widnes hit back and levelled the score again with 66 seconds left on the clock.  The score remained 3-3 at the end of regulation time and the game went into a 5 minute period of sudden death overtime to decide a winner.

Widnes had the chance to win the game two minutes into overtime when they were awarded a penalty shot, however Tyler de la Bertouche was equal to the challenge in the Dragons’ goal and was able to stop the shot.

Two minutes later with Deeside on a powerplay for a Widnes tripping call, Jake Witkowski fired in the all-important “golden goal” – his hat-trick for the night - to secure the 4-3 win for the Dragons.

The away game on Sunday was also played at a furious pace and there was little to choose between the two teams in the early stages.

The Dragons opened the scoring with a Jake Witkowski goal on 11 minutes but Widnes fired in an equaliser late in the period to leave the score tied at 1-1 at the first period break

Widnes edged into the lead with a goal in the first minute of the second period but parity was restored with Witkowski’s second goal of the game on 23 minutes.

Dragons captain Jared Dickinson fired Deeside back in front on 35 minutes to lead 2-3 at the second interval.

The Dragons pulled away in the third period with two more goals from Jake Witkowksi – who also missed a penalty shot in between - and Ross Kennedy rounded off the scoring with 3 minutes to play to secure an outstanding 2-6 win for Deeside.

The D1 Dragons remain in second place in the NIHL Moralee Division table but, following their 5-point haul at the weekend, there is now daylight between them and the chasing pack.

They are 4 points behind league leaders Blackburn Hawks, who have a 100% record with 6 wins from their 6 games to date and have 18 points. Deeside have a game in hand over the Hawks and are yet to play them this season.

The Dragons have 14 points from their 5 games to date having technically “dropped” a point with the OT win against Widnes – and Solihull Barons are in third place with 13 points, also from 5 games.

Defending champions Billingham Stars also have a 100% start to the season with 4 wins from 4 games and currently sit in 4^th place in the table with games in hand over all the teams above them.

The Dragons have back to back fixtures against Leeds Knights this coming weekend, with the away game in Yorkshire on Saturday and the home game on Sunday at Deeside Leisure Centre, 5.15pm face off.

Deeside Dragons D2 0 – Coventry Blaze 5 (NIHL Laidler Division)

Sunday 5^th October – NIHL Laidler Division: Deeside Dragons D2 0 – Coventry Blaze 5

The Deeside Dragons D2 suffered a 0-5 shut out at home to Coventry Blaze at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday.

The Deeside development team put in battling performance but were unable to find a way past the well- organised Coventry defence.

The Blaze took the lead on 13 minutes and the score remained 0-1 at the first period break. They doubled their advantage on 34 minutes and three more unanswered goals in the third period sealed the win.

The D2 Dragons are away to Bradford this Sunday 12^th October and then have an away game in Hull on 25^th October.  They are next at home on Saturday 8^th November when they take on the Kingston Sharks at Deeside Leisure Centre.