By Max Conyers
A spirited Widnes Wild side lost 6-5 to Solway Sharks after a penalty shootout.
The Wild started the first quarter the stronger of the two sides in the NIHL Division One clash.
Matty Barlow came closest to breaking the deadlock, with a strong effort that just shaved the top of the net.
Solway responded with a few chances of their own but Walker stood firm to deny them of the opener.
Eventually, Widnes’ pressure paid off as Danny Haid cut inside from out wide and shot from close range to make it 1-0.
Solway responded quickly with an equaliser through Ruairi Lockerbie who tapped home a scrappy goal for 1-1.
Star man Vlads Vulkanov once again showed his attacking prowess with a few chances of his own.
However, Solway’s netminder Callum Hepburn made some crucial saves to keep his side level.
Widnes scored first in the second period through Nathan Britton.
He tapped home from close range to put his side ahead once again.
Widnes scored again shortly afterwards with Barlow taking a snapshot from range to put the Wild 3-1 up with 15 minutes of the period left to play.
Solway upped the pressure from here as Widnes conceded two in quick succession.
Ian Bowie scored a goal-line tap-in and forced an error out of Walker to put the Sharks level.
Walker was unable to block a shot that slipped underneath him in a rare mistake for the 19-year-old netminder.
The third period continued in much the same way with both sides battling for a winner.
It wasn’t until the last eight minutes of the final period that Widnes scored again.
Vulkanov got in front of the net and finished clinically for 4-3.
Solway responded almost immediately with Struan Tonner scoring to equalise.
Vulkanov scored again with just under two minutes remaining and it seemed the game was over.
It wasn’t to be however as Scott Henderson scored with a minute left to play.
This took the game to overtime.
Solway had the first attempt coming close but a solid save from Walker kept Widnes alive.
Widnes fought fiercely to stay in the game as Tom Brierley lost his stick and started using his body to attempt to block incoming shots.
Chris Wilcox and Tom Stubley had chances of their own but overtime finished 5-5.
Penalties came up next.
It was Walker versus Hepburn in a battle of wills to secure three crucial points.
It was Hepburn who came out on top as he saved both Liam Charnock and Stubley’s attempts.
His team-mates Henderson and Peter Gápa finished their chances to make it 2-0 on penalties.
It’s a disappointing loss for Widnes, but a great overall performance.
They stay 7th in the league as Solway maintain their dominance in 1st.
The Wild will face Nottingham Lions next Sunday at 17:30pm.
