Mixed set of results for Dumfries' Solway Sharks at the weekend

Solway Sharks 7 Peterborough Phantoms 2

Solway Sharks returned to winning ways, claiming a dominant 7-2 victory over the Peterborough Phantoms in the Shark Tank on Saturday evening, courtesy of a Nolan Gardiner hat-trick, following a disappointing previous weekend.

The Sharks, sponsored by Dynamic Property Services, lined up with the addition of Bailey Thomson who made his first official league debut, however, Owen Rae and Kieran Hair remained on the injury list. Solway opted for Jordan Marr between the pipes once again, who was set to face his former team for the first time, backed up by Calum Hepburn. Meanwhile Canadian import Hayden Lavigne was given the start for Peterborough, accompanied by Luke Clark on the bench.

The Sharks got off to a flying start and immediately applied offensive pressure on Lavigne through the first line of Robertson, Dunbar and Gardiner. Solway maintained puck possession, allowing Alderson to open the scoring at 7.23 after firing from point, assisted by Young.

The Phantoms defence then put in a strong shift to keep the Sharks at bay, who had controlled the pace of play for the majority of the period.

Despite efforts from Bowering and Mitchell-King for the visitors, Solway overturned the puck and doubled their lead through Coulter who claimed his first goal since returning north, assisted by Carruth and Anderson at 17.49. The Sharks upheld their momentum, seeing Gardiner fire over Lavigne’s shoulder at 18.37 after the feed from Dunbar, securing a 3-0 lead to the hosts after the opening 20 minutes.

Marr was put to work early in the middle frame, but he made the stops to prevent the Phantoms forwards. Solway captain Stenton was handed the first penalty of the game at 26.53 for hooking, which saw