Wild keep Bulldogs leashed to hit the top
● BRADFORD BULLDOGS .......................... 3 WIDNES WILD ........................................... 5
THE YKK-sponsored Widnes Wild moved to the top of the Laidler Division table after a 5-3 win at previous league leaders Bradford Bulldogs last Saturday.
The home game two weeks ago between the two teams had been very close – resulting in a dramatic overtime win for the Wild – and this was another close-run and entertaining encounter.
Bradford took the lead with a short handed goal after just 50 seconds of the game but the Wild were soon back on equal terms after Lee Kemp’s long shot from the blue line made the score 1-1 just a couple of minutes later.
The Bulldogs edged ahead with a goal in the ninth minute but were pegged back again by a Danny Bullock goal and Widnes then took the lead with their third goal in a most frenetic period courtesy of Michal Novak in the 14th minute.
The Wild were on top for much of the game – out-shooting the Bulldogs by more than two to one overall – and they edged further ahead with a second goal of the night from Bullock in the 29th minute.
Widnes looked good for their 4-2 lead heading into the third period and continued to dominate for long periods of play without actually hitting the back of the net.
Bradford pulled a goal back in the 50th minute but any hope of a late rally was dashed with a goal from Wild playercoach Ollie Barron just 40 seconds later to restore the two-goal advantage and round off the scoring for the night.
The 5-3 triumph saw the Wild take over from Bradford at the top of the Laidler Division table and, with the Bulldogs losing their contest at Sheffield on Sunday, Widnes remain league leaders after all the weekend games.
A four-point weekend for North West rivals Altrincham Aces saw them join the Wild on 10 points from seven games but they occupy second place in the table due to an inferior goal difference.
Widnes have yet to play the Aces this season so the first meeting between the two local rivals on November 4 at Planet Ice Widnes is a game not to be missed.
After the clash at Bradford, Widnes player-coach Barron said: “It was a hardfought win and I was pleased with the team’s performance on Saturday against a good Bradford team.
“It was a much-improved team performance than last Saturday’s trip to Hull as I felt we worked hard in all areas of the ice and played for each other.
“We responded well after falling behind twice with quick goals and, arguably, we should have taken more of our chances after heavily out-shooting Bradford, but it’s a positive that we were creating those chances.
“We face another two game weekend this coming week, with a trip to Blackburn to face the Hawks II and then Telford at home on Sunday.
“Many thanks as always to the travelling fans on Saturday – we hope to see as many of you again this weekend.”
The YKK-sponsored Widnes Wild travel to Blackburn to play the Hawks’ development team this Saturday and then are at home to the Telford Tigers on Sunday at Planet Ice Widnes. The game faces-off at 5.30pm and the doors open at 4.45pm.