Widnes Wild captain Andrew Hopkins believes playoffs are “still achievable” after a thrilling 8-4 win over Nottingham Lions.
Widnes v. Nottingham key moments
#6 Kai Hathaway opened the score at 11:06 with assists from #75 Joe Howie and #68 Matthew Tarpey in the first period.
The second period was busy with goals as Captain #17 Andrew Hopkins scored the second goal for the Wild with assists from #20 Berwyn Hughes and #16 Michael Gilbert.
Nottingham Lions #27 Alex Rushby scored the Lions first goal at 23:43 and shortly after scoring two more completing a hattrick.
#44 Dani Haid responded back, scoring in the 27:26 minute with assists from #17 Hopkins and #16 Gilbert on a power play.
With 31:24 played #39 Matthew Barlow scored with assists from #8 Flynn Massie and #75 Joe Howie.
Widnes captain Hopkins ended the second period with a short-handed goal from an assist by #16 Gilbert at 36:47.
In the third period, Nottingham’s #93 Ales Padelek scored at 41:27.
Wild’s forward Hopkins scored at 42:01 completing a hattrick followed by another goal from #39 Barlow.
#12 Luke Alston scored the last goal for Widnes in an empty net.
Widnes Captain #17 Andrew Hopkins and Nottingham’s #27 Alex Rushby were named MVP after both scored hattricks.
Focusing on the future
The Widnes captain is focused on winning and pushing the team forward.
Hopkins said: “We’ve still got to make it so our focus is just the next game so far, so we just got to keep grinding it away.
“I think we still have to pick up another two wins if not three to get us that chance to get to the playoffs.
“We are hoping we will give it our all to try and get there.”
Looking ahead
Widnes have a busy weekend as they play against Whitley Warriors on Saturday and then the Hull Jets on Sunday.
The Wild have their last home game of the season on 22nd of March at 19:00 against the Nottingham Lions.
Featured image by Juliann Cloud.
