Warriors travelled up to Scotland to take on the Solway Sharks with a strong squad of players as only centreman Daniel Murdy was missing from their line up.
The game started at a fast pace and both sides looked dangerous offensively in the opening stages of the contest. After 11 minutes of play Warriors young defenceman Callum Read was given a 2 minute penalty for hooking and Sharks only took 24 seconds to make their man advantage count when Frazer Goldie fired home.
Whitley were not behind for long though as Rob Wilson’s speculative shot from just inside the Solway half deceived Kieran Hobbins in the Sharks net which saw the game tied up at 1-1.
Solway’s Iain Bowie then put the home side back in front on 13.43 when he shot past Richie Lawson after being set up nearly by the in form Struan Tonnar. Once again Warriors quickly equalised when Karl Culley tipped in a powerful shot from Daniel Harris on the powerplay which saw the 1st stanza end with the scores level at 2-2.
Shortly into the 2nd period Whitley’s alternate captain Jamie Tinsley was given a 2 minute penalty for tripping. Warriors were able to kill off the penalty however just after Whitley returned to full strength Struan Tonnar netted for Sharks.
Solway were creating plenty of opportunities now and Stevie Moore made it 4-2 after 24 minutes of action. Whitley looked to get their own offense going however Sharks again found the back of the net before the end of the 2nd period when Juraj Senko grabbed a goal.
Shortly into the final session of play Solway’s Iain Bowie picked up a 2 minute penalty for holding. Warriors power play generated some pressure on the Solway goal however Sharks broke away and Stevie Moore netted a shortie to put the home side 6-2 ahead.
Warriors were now 4 goals in arrears however Whitley still believed they could take a positive result from the game and Karl Culley netted on the powerplay just 40 seconds after Solway scored their 6th goal.
Whitley were now going forward with purpose and Martin Crammond made it 6-4 on 48 minutes when he fired home after being set up by Callum Watson and Rob Wilson. Warriors continued to create openings and DJ Good slotted home 4 minutes later to after Sharks defence had been unable to clear their defensive zone.
Whitley were now just 1 goal behind however Warriors then ran into penalty trouble as Dan Harris picked up a 10 minute misconduct penalty and Rob Wilson got 12 minutes in penalties for checking from behind. Solway took advantage and Sharks quickly netted twice through Tonnar and Murray which saw the home side take the 2 points offer thanks to a 8-5 victory.
Warriors netminder Richie Lawson was named as Whitley’s man of the match while import d man Juraj Senko was adjudged to be Solway’s best player during the contest.
Whitley are back in action on Sunday evening when the Sutton Sting visit Tyneside in a NIHL North Moralee Conference encounter that faces off at 5pm at Hillheads Ice Rink.