Minder Ruxton helps preserve vital victory
WIDNES WILD ........................................... 4 SHEFFIELD SENATORS ........................... 3
THE RTL-sponsored Widnes Wild moved up into second place in the Laidler Conference table after a hard-fought 4-3 win over Sheffield Senators at Silver Blades Widnes on Sunday.
The result sees the Wild move to within six points of the pacesetting Blackburn Eagles with 10 games left to play in the season and puts them two ahead of the Senators with whom they have been locked in a head-to-head battle for table positions in recent weeks.
Going into Sunday’s showdown, the two teams were level on points and were only separated by results between them – with each having one win and the Senators slightly ahead overall by a one-goal margin.
There was added intrigue due to the fact that several Wild players had played for Sheffield teams in recent seasons and therefore knew the opposition rather well.
True to form, the clash was too close to call and, for the whole of the 60 minutes could easily have gone one way or the other.
The Wild – playing in their green warm-up tops to avoid a colour clash with the Sheffield players who had arrived wearing a light silver grey strip – to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the current Sheffield Ice Hockey Club – instead of their usual dark blue started at a tremendous pace and peppered the visitors’ goal with shots.
Despite having superior overall possession in this opening phase, they failed to take full advantage of two early powerplay opportunities and then found themselves a player down for four minutes after big defenceman Andrew Turner was given a 2+2+10 penalty for holding and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Showing some class defending, that storm was weathered and the Wild continued to press for that all-important opening goal but, despite chances at both ends, the opening period finished goalless.
In fact, the first goal did not come until the 27th minute when Wild’s Karl Niamatali picked up a cross from team captain Shaun Dippnall and fired a furious shot from just inside the blue line into the top right hand corner of the Sheffield net.
The advantage was almost doubled just 40 seconds later as Widnes were on ● the attack again.
Tom Ratcliffe was bearing down on the Sheffield goal when he was scythed down from behind, sending him ploughing into the boards. The referee awarded a penalty shot which Ratcliffe hit straight at the netminder.
The game was very close throughout and Sheffield equalised on 35 minutes after a period of pressure saw a shot squeeze between Wild netminder Greg Ruxton’s skates and trickle across the goalline.
The scores remained level for only 27 seconds – however – as, straight from the restart, the Wild pushed forward to try and regain the lead.
Some fine passing between Nick Manning and Stuart Brittle behind the goal found its way to player/coach Ollie Barron who was right in front of the crease and he was able to poke the puck home to put the Wild 2-1 up with a little over four minutes left in the second period.
And there was still more drama to come.
While the Wild were pushing up to try and extend their slender lead, Sheffield broke away and fired in another equaliser meaning that the score was tied 2-2 at the second buzzer.
The Senators actually took the lead seven minutes into the final period after another breakout from defence which saw Ruxton save the first shot, only to have his clearance drop into the path of another advancing Sheffield attacker who guided the puck round the netminder and into the goal.
The home fans had to wait another eight minutes before the Wild equalised, this time making the most of a powerplay where they were able put the Senators defence under great pressure and keep them penned in their own defensive zone – something that Widnes have had trouble doing in previous games.
A pass in from Simon Offord on the blue line came to Barron wide on the left who fired in his second goal to the delight of players and supporters alike.
However, there were still 10 minutes left to play and you could barely squeeze the proverbial cigarette paper between the two teams so everything was there to play for as the game entered its nail-biting, electrifying final phase.
The Wild winner came five minutes later and was the result of another impressive showing of organised and sustained pressure around the Sheffield bluezone.
After an incredible number of unintercepted passes, a hefty slapshot from Joe Gilbert on the point rebounded off the Senators’ netminder and fell to Manning who fired it into the net.
The last five minutes were very tense as Sheffield upped their game in search of a late leveller. Ruxton made some heroic last-ditch saves – with and without his stick – and the Wild held on for an important victory.
The post-match awards were pre- sented by the Mayor and Mayoress of Halton who were guests of honour at the game.
After the game, player/coach Barron said: “It was a good game of hockey from both teams and it felt good to be back on home ice.
“I was pleased with our work rate and determination. We created lots of good goalscoring opportunities, which was pleasing to see.
“It was a blow to be leading the game twice then to find ourselves down by one, but our heads didn’t drop.
“We kept working hard for each other and got rewarded with two goals in the third to win the game 4-3.
“I also thought Greg Ruxton played really well coming up big for us with some important saves.” ● The RTL-sponsored Widnes Wild are back at home again this Sunday when they entertain Nottingham Lions at Silver Blades Widnes in a 5.30pm face-off.
Looking ahead to that game, Barron said: “This league is very tight and we have to remain focused and battle in every game going forward.
“Our next game against Nottingham is another big game for us. They have some talented young players who won’t stop working for 60 minutes. We will work on some specifics in practice to prepare for our next game.
“I hope to see as many fans as possible next Sunday, getting behind the team.
“Your support is much appreciated.”