By Xanthe Boursier-Gazzard

The Bristol Honda Pitbulls stepped away victorious last night against the Solway Sharks as they battled it out, taking the lead with just eight seconds remaining of regulation time.

Heading into the game, the home team remained without defenseman Ben Davies through injury but saw a full roster away from this.

The first period saw both teams battle for possession, with the puck being taken end to end, attempting any shot on net they could find. The Pitbulls had an early powerplay opportunity following a high sticking call on Kell Beattie, allowing Nick Pryce to fire a deflected shot on Jordan Marr; however, the Sharks were quick to clear the zone to deny the home team and more chances. The roles swiftly reversed as Bari McKenzie headed to the box; however, the penalty was efficiently killed, and both teams continued to search for an opportunity to light the lamp, with shots coming from Bayley Harewood and Sam Smith for the Pitbulls and Nolan Gardiner for the away team.

Following a goalless first period, the Sharks came out eager to get the first goal of the evening as Callum Boyd took the rebound off of Gardiner and directed it past Nappiers reach, opening the scoring. The Sharks continued to retain possession following this; however, as the Pitbulls killed a five-on-three call, returning to four players, Harewood took the puck up into the offensive zone on the breakaway, cutting through the Sharks defence, and weaved a shot through Marr, scoring shorthanded to level out the scoreline and remove the Sharks goal advantage.

As the third period was underway, the home side started on the penalty kill with Kyle Carruth taking a shot hitting the posts, rejecting them the opportunity to take the lead. Mason Lipsey and Cam Hamill both made attempts on net in the following minutes, followed by pressure in the Pitbulls own zone forcing Tommy Nappier to make some big saves. With less than two minutes remaining, a timeout was called by the home team as Mason Alderson would receive two minutes for interference, giving them their final chance on the powerplay. The home side circled the net, making exchanges as Pryce made the pass to Tanner Butler, who sniped a slapshot that bounced into the net with just eight seconds remaining of regulation time, winning the game for the Pitbulls.

Man of the Match for the Sharks went to Jordan Marr and to Tommy Nappier for the home team.

Image : Pete Fears