Ice Hockey_ Wild make cup semi-final
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MORALEE CUP: Wild have fun after successful final years Moralee Cup. Can the “Cup Kings” do it once more? (Image: GW-images)
By Paul Breeze
The YKK sponsored Widnes Wild have certified for the semi-final of the Moralee Cup for the second yr operating, organising an interesting two-legged conflict with league leaders Solway Sharks.
The 2 groups met on the identical stage of the cup competitors final season with Widnes pulling off a sensational victory over the 2 video games – choosing up a 3-3 draw away in Dumfries after which successful the house leg 5-4 to undergo 8-7 on combination. The efficiency within the away recreation was particularly spectacular because it was the one recreation all season that Solway did not win on their very own ice.
That semi-final win arrange a two-legged encounter within the remaining with one other Scottish staff – the Dundee Comets – who Widnes had by no means performed earlier than. Right here once more, the Wild put in a sterling shift in Scotland to come back away with a 3-3 draw after which received the cup with a 4-3 victory at Planet Ice Widnes the next evening.
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Widnes have certified for this yr’s semi-final by advantage of their ending place within the cup qualifying desk, the place the highest 4 groups undergo.
As a result of ice time availability points and fixture congestion issues throughout the NIHL, the groups didn’t participate in separate cup qualifying video games this season as they’d in earlier years and, as an alternative, the outcomes for the primary conferences between all of the groups dwelling and away have been used to compile the group desk.
With Deeside Dragons falling behind with their league video games on account of delays of their dwelling rink being prepared after a refurbishment, their outcomes have been faraway from the equation, leaving Widnes and Solihull locked collectively within the fourth place for the ultimate semi-final berth. Within the two conferences between these two groups, Widnes received 5-1 within the dwelling recreation and Solihull received 4-3 within the away recreation. In ice hockey, when groups end stage on factors within the remaining standings, they’re separated by the end result of matches between the 2 groups, which provides the Wild the benefit by a 3 aim margin total.
The opposite semi-final sees Whitley Warriors tackle Billingham Stars in a north east derby and the winners of the 2 semi-finals will then meet in a two-legged remaining.
Widnes have misplaced dwelling and away to all three of the opposite semi-finalists this season and shall be hoping that the “magic of the cup” will rub off on them.
They misplaced 5-2 away to Solway again in October after which narrowly missed out on their first league win in opposition to the perennial achievers in essentially the most dramatic trend within the latest dwelling recreation when Solway scored a final ditch equaliser with simply 18 seconds left to play, after which went on to win in time beyond regulation.
CELEBRATION: Celebratory staff picture after beating Dundee in Moralee Cup the ultimate 2022 (Image: GW-images)
The away leg of the semi-final takes place in Dumfries this Saturday, January 7 with the house recreation on Saturday, January 21 at Planet Ice Widnes.
The addition of those additional video games offers the Wild a really busy schedule through the month of January, with the revised fixture record as follows:
Saturday, January 7: away @ Solway (Cup SF1)
Sunday, January 8: away @ Nottingham
Sunday, January 15: dwelling v Blackburn
Saturday, January 21: dwelling v Solway (Cup SF2)
Sunday, January 22: away @ Solihull
Saturday, January 28: dwelling v Sheffield
Sunday, January 29: away @ Whitley
The complete record of fixtures for the remainder of the season may be seen on the Widnes Wild web site right here, the place a hyperlink can be discovered for advance ticket purchases.
Wild Girls staff set to resume title problem
FOCUSED: Widnes Girls head coach Adam Lappin in motion (Image: Wil Evans)
The Widnes Wild Girls staff return to match motion this Sunday, January 8 with a crunch dwelling recreation in opposition to the Telford Wrekin Raiders at Planet Ice Widnes, 4.15pm face off.
Telford have traditionally been one of many prime groups on this division and the final time that the Wild girls performed at this stage, they have been locked in a three-way battle for the highest locations with the Raiders and Solway Girls for many of the season.
It’s nonetheless early days within the girls’s leagues and Widnes have solely performed 4 video games out of their 16-match common schedule up to now. They presently occupy third place within the WNIHL North 2 desk with 3 wins out of 4 and are 1 level behind Telford, who’ve performed the identical variety of video games, and 4 factors behind early leaders Solway who’ve performed 2 video games extra.
Telford completed off the calendar yr with dwelling and away wins over Grimsby whereas the Wild girls haven’t accomplished a aggressive recreation since their win away to Leeds in mid-November.
Wild Girls head coach Adam Lappin defined how the staff have been making ready for this Sunday’s recreation – and who he thinks are the groups to observe this season: “We’ve been coaching frequently and persevering with with our structured programme. We, as a training staff, have regarded on the classes recognized from earlier video games to tailor the coaching wants and necessities of the staff.”
“Issues can transfer fairly shortly on this league so any staff can produce nice outcomes, however Solway are at all times sturdy contenders on this league, as are Whitley. Telford have been powerful opponents final time we performed them, so we’ll see what they convey to the following dwelling recreation.”
As with yearly in British ice hockey, the Girls staff noticed quite a few gamers be part of their ranks for this season and the staff has an thrilling mix of youth and expertise. Speaking in regards to the energy of the Widnes roster this season, Lappin stated: “There have been quite a few new gamers, but in addition quite a few returning gamers from earlier seasons. They’ve settled in effectively and have in a short time adjusted to the staff ethos and work ethic. They’ve every introduced one thing to the staff, and this has contributed very a lot to the successes we’ve seen within the latter a part of 2022.”
“I’m extraordinarily proud of the women we’ve. Whether or not they’re youthful or extra skilled gamers, all of them contribute effectively to the squad as a complete. It has ensured a depth and resilience to the squad, which has in flip enabled us to take an nearly full roster to each away recreation up to now this season; a luxurious I’m certain most different groups shouldn’t have!”
As regards his personal involvement with the Widnes Girls staff, Lappin stated: “Having been appointed as head coach at the beginning of the pre-season, on the again of a tough stint within the Premier Division final season, it has been an actual privilege to be a part of our progress up to now this season. From a great recruitment drive over the off season, to the 4 weeks of pre-season coaching, main into a really constructive begin to this yr’s marketing campaign, the gamers and training employees have labored collectively effectively to work on set strains and flowing staff hockey.
“This staff is coming collectively very effectively, not simply as a gaggle of gamers who prepare and compete collectively, but in addition as an prolonged household. It is a excellent baseline for the remainder of the season and the seasons to come back. I can see us within the prime third this season, with a really life like likelihood of a playoff place. Wanting into the following season and past, I can see this staff staying sturdy. That may be a mixture of the gamers, teaching employees and administration committee, which contributes to the successes of the broader staff. We’ve a great dynamic, which is simply getting stronger and more and more extra enjoyable to be part of.”
The Wild Girls staff are at dwelling this Sunday, January 8 once they tackle Telford, 4.15pm face off.
Following that, they’ve an away journey to face the Raiders once more on January 21 and a recreation away in Sheffield on January 29 earlier than their subsequent dwelling match, which shall be in opposition to Kingston Diamonds on Sunday, February 5 at Planet Ice Widnes.
Wild Junior Academy
The Wild Academy Underneath 14s staff are at dwelling to Manchester U14s on Saturday, January 7 at Planet Ice Widnes, 4.20pm face off, adopted by the Underneath 18 staff enjoying the Mercians U18s at 6pm.
The Underneath 14s are away to Solihull U14s on Sunday, January 8, 4.20pm face off.
Admission to all Wild Academy dwelling video games at Planet Ice Widnes is free and spectators are inspired to go alongside and cheer on the celebrities of the longer term.
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