Sunday 26th February 2023 – Moralee Division
YKK Widnes Wild 1 – Deeside Dragons 6
The YKK sponsored Widnes Wild saw their winning run come to an end with a frustrating 1-6 defeat at home to local rivals Deeside Dragons at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.
These cross-border derby affairs are always very fiercely contested and, with 2 wins each from league and cup games this season, both sides were keen to secure local bragging rights, as well as two all important league points.
Despite being fairly even in terms of shots on goal over the course of the game, the Dragons got off to the better start and they took the lead in the 8th minute of play.
A second goal for Deeside in the 12th minute doubled their advantage and the score remained at 0-2 at the first period break. Things got even worse for Widnes when Deeside scored again just 67 seconds into the second period to extend the lead to 0-3.
The Wild didn’t give up, however, and had plenty of chances on goal but they came up against former Widnes netminder Matt Croyle who was in fine form on his first visit back to his old haunt and the Dragons moved further ahead with a fourth goal on 28 minutes.
Things settled down after that and the score remained 0-4 with one period left to play, leaving Widnes with a lot of catching up to do.
The home fans finally got something to cheer about on 48 minutes when player coach Joey Coulter slotted home the puck with a 5 on 3 powerplay goal but that was as good as things got for the Wild, as the Dragons struck back with two powerplay goals of their own late in the game to punish some niggly Wild penalties and round off a comprehensive victory.
The YKK sponsored Widnes Wild are next at home on Saturday 4th March when they take on Whitley Warriors at Planet Ice Widnes – face off 5.30pm. They are away to Billingham Stars on Sunday, 5.30pm face off.
The DMUK Widnes Wild women’s team are at home on Sunday when they take on the Grimsby Wolves in the women’s Division 2 North at Planet Ice Widnes – face off 4.25pm.
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