Solway Sharks Ladies made history on Sunday when they defeated Cardiff Comets 4-3 in the final of the Women’s National Ice Hockey League (WNIHL) Division 2 play-offs to earn promotion to WNIHL Division 1.
Throughout the game, the Comets and the Sharks, who are Scotland’s only team in the Women’s National Ice Hockey League (WNIHL), appeared evenly matched.
Trachtenberg scored in the first period to put the Sharks on the board but the Comets’ Olivia Taylor quickly weaved her way through Solway’s defence to score against Sharks’ unbeaten goaltender Lizzie Meikle.
Mo Muir answered back, firing a wrister past the Comets goaltender MacKenzie MacNamara, who won top goaltender for the WNIHL Division 2.
In the final two periods of the game, Taylor came back with two additional goals, earning a hat-trick and testing the mettle of the undefeated Sharks.
Trachtenberg capitalised on a shorthanded goal opportunity in the second period, while Meikle was able to keep the Comets in check for the remainder of the game.
The score was tied 3-3 heading into the final minutes of play. The Comets took a penalty, putting the Sharks on their well-rehearsed power play. With the puck firmly under control in the Comets zone, the Sharks made one final push for victory.
From the corner, Trachtenberg banked the puck off the boards to defensive player Gemma Watt at the point then Watt unleashed a shot that found the top right-hand corner of the Comets net, putting the Sharks up 4-3 with 30 seconds to go.
After keeping the Comets at bay for the remaining final moments of the game, the Sharks raced to goaltender Meikle to celebrate the moment and the magnitude of their historical achievement.
Watt deservedly earned the most valuable player award for the game.
Naomi Warwick and Katie Trachtenberg both picked up WNIHL Division 2 All Star Team honours, earning top defenceman and top forward respectively.
Kate Trachtenberg said: “Going into this final, we knew that the Cardiff Comets were going to be difficult to beat. They are experienced players who know how to work together and easily capitalize on unforced errors. We needed to approach every shift with unmatched levels of focus, intensity, and determination, and that’s exactly what we did.”
On Saturday, the Sharks travelled to Sheffield to face off against the WNIHL Division 2 South champions, Peterborough Phantoms.
The game was dramatic and physical at times, with both teams battling hard for the opportunity to advance.
Sharks’ alternate captain Michelle Croucher scored a dominant goal in the first period, followed by a quick one-timer from alternate captain Rosie Adey. Adey, who comes from the Isle of Benbecula to train with the Sharks, scored again later in the game.
Katie Trachtenberg notched a goal for the Sharks, and defensive staple Katie Russell rifled a shot from the point to end the scoring for the game.
Peterborough banked one goal in the match, but ultimately fell to the Sharks 5-1. Katie Trachtenberg earned the most valuable player award for the game.
For captain Amanda Murdoch, head coach Kevin Butters, team manager Stuart Russell, and all of the Sharks players, this day was momentous.
It was especially significant for co-founders Butters and Muir, who started the team in 2013, and for the Sharks “Original 5” – Mo Muir, Chloe Young, Naomi Warwick, Amanda Murdoch, and Karen Craig – who have been with the team since its inception.
Due to their success at playoffs, the ladies will be playing against WNIHL Division 1 teams from all over the United Kingdom next year.
Lauren Clark, who previously played for the Milton Keynes Falcons of Division 1, is eager to return to this level of competition with her new team.
She said: “The Solway Sharks journey has been nothing short of a fairytale. The heart, passion, and drive that we have as a team can only be described as phenomenal. This season’s achievements are only a small display of the commitment that each player makes to the team whose name they so proudly wear on the front of their jerseys.
“I am proud to have been a play-off champion before being with the team, and I am even prouder to be play-off champion as a Shark.”
The team is looking for sponsorship as the travel for next year will see the Sharks heading as far south as Slough and Chelmsford, so travel costs will be high.
It has been a phenomenal year for the club as a whole. The Solway Sharks men’s team earned the NIHL Division North 1 Moralee championship title, the NIHL North 1 Moralee Cup, the NIHL Moralee North 1 playoff championship, and NIHL National playoff championship, earning a National Division promotion.
Further, the Solway Sharks U16 juniors team won their division and also the Scottish Cup this year.
