Deeside Ice Rink, 22nd February 2025
The Deeside Dragons roared to victory in a thrilling 9-8 contest against Widnes Wild, in a fast-paced showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats. The night was extra special as the Dragons’ Charity of the Season, North Wales Blood Bikes, were in attendance with their bikes, adding to the electric atmosphere inside the rink. The Dragons’ faithful brought the noise, filling the air with horns and drums as they cheered their team to a well-earned win.
This victory was even more remarkable considering the adversity the Dragons faced. The squad was heavily hit with illness, which forced several players to miss the game, and the team was unable to train midweek due to the illness running through the club. Massive credit goes to the team for pulling off the win despite these challenges, showcasing incredible resilience and determination.
First Period: A Blistering Start
The game ignited almost instantly as Jake Witkowski opened the scoring for Deeside just 22 seconds in, assisted by James Parsons. However, Widnes responded swiftly through Luke Alston, levelling the score at 1-1 by the 1:31 mark. The Dragons then surged ahead, with Garry Simpson and Jayson Burgess both finding the back of the net in quick succession.
Widnes fought back with goals from Damarni James and Daniel Haid, but Deeside regained control when Witkowski struck again at 14:53, with assists from William Harper and Cody Ogden. James Parsons extended the lead at 20:21, finishing the period with Deeside leading 5-3.
The Dragons dominated offensively, outshooting Widnes 18-9 in the first period, showing their attacking intent from the outset.
Second Period: A Battle for Momentum
The second period saw Deeside capitalising on a powerplay opportunity, with James Parsons netting his second of the night at 24:54. Widnes answered back through Ben McLellan at 30:06, but the Dragons struck shorthanded in the game’s defining moment.
At 39:08, Jake Witkowski produced a moment of brilliance, breaking free while a man down and testing the Widnes netminder before slotting the puck home for a crucial goal. This shorthanded tally shifted momentum firmly in Deeside’s favour, sending the crowd into a frenzy as the period ended with a 7-5 Dragons lead.
The Dragons maintained their offensive dominance, registering 20 shots on goal to Widnes’ 10, keeping the pressure firmly on their opponents.
Third Period: A Fierce Finish
Widnes refused to back down, cutting the deficit early in the third through Matthew Barlow. However, Deeside responded as Jayson Burgess struck again at 47:22, restoring a two-goal cushion. The final minutes saw a flurry of goals, with Widnes twice reducing the gap, but Ross Kennedy’s strike at 51:36 proved vital as Deeside held on for a thrilling 9-8 victory.
Despite Widnes pushing hard in the third period, Deeside remained resilient, with both teams registering high shot counts—16 for Deeside and 13 for Widnes.
Key Performances & Turning Point
Jayson Burgess (#75) was named MVP for Deeside, while Widnes’ standout performer was Luke Alston (#12). Dragons’ goaltender Oli Booth delivered a highlight-reel moment in the second period, making a stunning recovery save—deflecting the initial shot before diving across the crease to block the follow-up.
The game’s turning point came with Witkowski’s stunning shorthanded goal in the second period, shifting momentum in Deeside’s favour and proving to be the defining moment in a hard-fought victory.
What’s Next?
The Dragons return to home ice on Sunday, 2nd March, as they look to build on this thrilling win. Tickets go on sale at 9 AM on Sunday, 23rd February—fans won’t want to miss the next chapter of Deeside’s season!
