Category: Round-ups

Successful Test Event Prompts Scottish Ice Hockey to Expand Competitive Youth Games

On Saturday 20th May Scottish Ice Hockey (SIH) ran a test event in Dumfries that saw Under 10s, Under 12s and Under 20s players from all over Scotland take part. The players were split into teams based on home club location then played each other over the course of the day.

The event was a trial with the hope that the games would be very competitive, and the result proved that theory correct. The day was deemed an overall success and something Scottish Ice Hockey will now look to expend on.

Head of Hockey Operations, Jamie Thomson, said, “East V West is something I’ve been wanting to reintroduce for a few years now and this event gave us a chance to prove it works.

We need our players playing more and they must play at a level that they are always having to battle to compete. It’s vitally important that this is our main focus when it comes to junior hockey moving forward.

These games also give coaches looking at national and international team selection a chance to see players actually play in a like for like situation, some players are fantastic on training and at trials but the best players should come to the top during these games so overall it’s win win for everyone involved.”

The future is bright for Ice Hockey in Scotland

Last weekend marked a significant milestone for junior hockey in Scotland with the first National development jamboree for the newly formed U10 age group.

Over 50 kids participated in the event, which featured a 2/3 Scotland prospects game and a 1/3 Future prospects Cross ice game.

The event showcased some highly skilled and talented young players, with lots of impressive passing hockey on show. It was a great advertisement for junior hockey in Scotland and demonstrated the enthusiasm and passion for the sport among young players.

These kids are the future of Scottish ice hockey, and it’s exciting to see that they will eventually become the Scotland U12 team in 1 or 2 years. Some of these players could even progress to become future SNL players and beyond, contributing to the growth and success of the sport in Scotland.

This first National development jamboree was a huge success and provided an excellent platform for young players to showcase their skills and develop their talent. The future looks bright for Scottish hockey, and we can’t wait to see what these talented players will achieve in the years to come.

Colin McMillian, Scotland U12 Coach was in Attendance and had this to say about the event. 

“It was great seeing the effort and enthusiasm from all the kids. Some real stars of the future showing their talent.

Working together with the U10 coaching group and being connected in this way, we can identify players who should progress through the National Development Program with their continued hard work at their respective clubs.

I’d like to thank the U10 team and the FIA for hosting this event. Here’s to more in the future…..”

A great turn out for Scottish Cup finals day

Aberdeen played host the Scottish Cup Finals on Saturday as all age groups took to the ice to compete for the final piece of silverware this season.

It was an early start for the U12 finalists with Fife and Lanarkshire making the journey North. Kit bags lined the foyer of the Linx Ice Arena but the excitement levels were high as the youngsters waited to be shown to their changing rooms where fresh fruit and juices were waiting to keep them fuelled and hydrated.

Parents took their seats in the stands as the arena lights dimmed and turned to blue, the DJ cranked up the volume and the two U12 teams emerged from the tunnel to the cheering crowd.

Fife took a 2-1 lead in the first period but Lanarkshire dug deep and turned it around in the 2nd scoring 4 goals. It was 2-5 going into the last period with both sides giving it their all but Lanarkshire extended their lead scoring a goal whilst on the power play and clinched the win!

The Zamboni was out for a quick ice cut whilst the crowd grabbed an early morning hotdog as the U14s lined up in the tunnel. Looking around the stands it was great to see some of Aberdeen Lynx’s SNL team had popped down to cheer the juniors on.

There was a mix of excitement and nerves as the youngsters made their way out onto the ice but after a quick warmup it was time for puck drop.

Less than 2 minutes in and Aberdeen opened the scoring but Fife equalised just moment later. Aberdeen followed with 2 more goals whilst on the power play to end the period 3-1. The 2nd period saw Fife gain momentum and add 4 goals to their total whilst Aberdeen added 2. It was 5-5 going into the last period and all to play for. Aberdeen bagged another goal just 28 seconds in and quickly followed with a second. With the clock ticking down Fife took advantage of the power play and netted 6 goals finishing 11-7 to Fife.

The arena was buzzing after such an exhilarating game and the stands were filling up with hockey fans coming to support their teams and to enjoy some fantastic cup final games.

With the lights at blue once more and AC/DC blasting it was the the turn of Solway and Fife’s U16s to take to the ice. The first period saw both sides create plenty of opportunities but neither side managed to find the back of the net. The 2nd period also ended 0-0 with Solway taking plenty shots on goal, but just couldn’t get them past Fife’s net minder. It was all down to the last period and 8 minutes before the end, Solway bagged the first goal, and then a 2nd one just 4 seconds before the end of the game, finishing 2-0.

With three Scottish Cup trophies won it was the last juniors game of the day. North Ayr and Fife U19s faced off in what turned out to be quite a heated game. The 1st period saw North Ayr on the offensive but it was the last two minutes of the period before they managed to net 2 goals. 2-0 going into the 2nd period and Fife scored their first goal but North Ayr added three more goals to their total and things were getting a little spicy, with the penalty box getting lots of action from both sides. With tensions running high Fife tried hard to get onto the scoreboard but North Ayr kept the pressure on and bagged a further 3 goals winning 8-1.

With 4 fantastic games played the anticipation was building as Aberdeen Lynx and Dundee Comets kitted up for another head to head. Two queues stretched around the arena as fans patiently waited for the doors to open.

Only 6 days had passed since the two teams last met in the final for the Playoffs at Murrayfield, where the Comets had clinched the title. This game was massive for both sides, Aberdeen had won the League and the Comets won the Playoffs, this was the last piece of silverware that was up for grabs this season.

Aberdeen came out strong but it was the Comets that were first to score. Aberdeen kept their cool and kept up the pace by netting 2 goal by the end of the period. 5 minutes into the start of the 2nd the Lynx bagged their 3rd goal of the night, but a Power Play for the Comets gave them a chance to narrow the scoreline with their 2nd goal. 3-2 going into the 3rd period the crowd were on the edge of their seats as the Lynx were on the defence. The clock ticked down and time was running out for the Comets. With just over a minute to go until the end they took the risk and pulled their goalie and the gamble paid off as they scored an equaliser! All even at 3-3 and the game went to overtime, but a minute and a half later the Comets scored and the Scottish Cup title was won.

A fantastic day for both players and fans. A showcase for the young talent that is coming through our junior clubs and it’s great to see the growing fanbase for the sport in Scotland. What a day, 12 hours of hockey, 5 games played, 10 teams who gave it their all on the ice and a team of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves, pitched in and helped make it a day to remember!

Comets win Playoff Championship

What a fantastic weekend of Scottish ice hockey and a great atmosphere at Murrayfield Ice Arena. 

The semi-final on Saturday saw Aberdeen win 4-3 against Kilmarnock Thunder and Dundee Comets win 4-0 against Paisley Pirates, making it a Lynx vs Comets final on the Sunday.

Picture: www.algooldphoto.com
Picture: Stuart Laird
Picture: www.algooldphoto.com
Picture by Stuart Laird

The final was a thrilling game between the two experienced sides cheered along by their enthusiastic traveling support, that filled the arena with the sound of beating drums and let’s go chants. 

The Comets got off to a strong start, with goals from Ben Brown and Sean Beattie in the first period, giving them a 2-0 lead. The second period was a physical one, with both teams racking up the penalty minutes, but Comets’ Stephen Eccles managed to net another goal, extending their lead to 3-0.

In the third period, much to the delight of the cheering Lynx fans,  Aberdeen found their form scoring two goals in quick succession to bring the score to 3-2. However, Ben Brown scored his second goal of the evening while on the power play, making it 4-2 with less than five minutes left on the clock. 

The Lynx didn’t give up and kept up the pressure taking advantage of the power play as the clock ticked down.  A last-minute goal at 59.59 by James Demeo narrowed the scoreline, but it was too little too late to clinch the win.

Both teams have had a successful season so far, Dundee Comets winning the Scottish Ice Hockey Playoff Championship at the weekend and Aberdeen Lynx winning the Scottish National League title 2 weeks ago. 

They will meet again on Saturday in the final for the Scottish Cup which is being held in Aberdeen. With both teams hoping to add another piece of silverware to their collection it promises to be another exciting match and not one to be missed! 

Picture by Stuart Laird
Picture by Stuart Laird

Head of Scottish Ice Hockey’s senior section, Scott Campbell said, “As our SNL season is now almost concluded, what a finals weekend that was!

The ever improving Kilmarnock Thunder taking the league champions to the wire, Dundee Comets playing some fine hockey under Richard Hartmann, and a final that everyone thought was already over at the end of the 2nd period proving to be anything but over. 

Credit to Aberdeen Lynx for their 3rd period efforts, but just falling short against a Comets team that for me were the worthy winners and strongest team this weekend. 

It was great to see such a good blend of youth and experience on display this weekend. It was our first SNL season of 2 home and 2 away games and  what a difference it has made already, long may it continue. 

Finally, a huge thanks to Scott Neil and team at Murrayfield Ice Arena, all our volunteers, and our on ice officials, without whom we have no game. 

Good luck to all teams, senior and junior in next weekends Scottish Cup Final event, and I hope everyone has a great summer and is looking forward to September already as much as I am.” 

http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/scottish-ice-hockey

Aberdeen Lynx and Dundee Comets to face-off in Playoff final.

In the Scottish Ice Hockey Playoffs, the two semifinals at Murrayfield today saw Aberdeen Lynx beat Kilmarnock Thunder 4-3 in a closely fought contest.

Kilmarnock’s Scott Cowan opened the scoring less than two minutes after the puck drop, but the Lynx equalised with a goal from Gary Kelly before going ahead 2-1 with a goal from Tom Johnston. In the second period, Thunder turned up the pressure and scored twice to finish the period 3-2. However, in the third period, the Lynx created more opportunities and netted two goals, with Mark Laing and Ben Edmonds scoring to seal the win with a final score of 4-3.

The second game was between Dundee Comets and Paisley Pirates, with the Comets dominating throughout.

Stephen Eccles opened the scoring for the Comets, with Ben Brown and Sean Beattie adding to the scoreline. Going into the second period, the Comets had a comfortable lead. Even though both sides dug deep, the second period only saw Dundee’s Ben Brown score his second goal of the game. In the last period, Pirates’ net minder put in a great shift defending against the Comets’ advances, but the Paisley side couldn’t find the back of the net, and the Comets won 4-0.

Tomorrow’s final between Aberdeen Lynx and Dundee Comets is too close to call, and both teams will be fighting hard to lift the trophy. It promises to be an exciting match, with the winner taking home the Scottish Ice Hockey Playoff championship.

Puck drop is 6pm and there are still tickets left on the door. Don’t miss out on what is set to be a fantastic game.

WEEKEND REVIEW: Thunder played a storm against Caps and Lynx in with a chance of the treble.

The 2nd leg of the Playoff 1/4 finals took place on Saturday, and it was a thrilling weekend with the last opportunity for the teams to advance to the next round and keep their Playoff hopes alive.

Kilmarnock Thunder managed to secure their spot in the Playoff semi-finals, despite losing 4-3 to Edinburgh Capitals. Thunder advanced on points, after a closely fought game. 

Capitals came out strong, with Ross Beowick scoring a goal just a minute and a half into the game, followed by Joel Gautschi adding another goal for the Caps. However, Kilmarnock Thunder fought back and managed to score two goals by the end of the first period, bringing the scoreline to an even 2-2. 

In the second period, the Capitals scored twice more, but Innes Gallacher of Thunder netted his second goal of the evening, making it 4-3 in favour of Capitals. 

The last period was intense, with both teams struggling to create scoring opportunities. The game ended with a 4-3 win for Capitals.

Dundee Comets also secured their place in the semi-finals with a 3-2 win against Kirkcaldy Kestrels. 

John Dolan opened the scoring for the Comets less than six minutes after puck drop. In the second period, Kyle Horn scored for the Kestrels, but the Comets quickly responded with another goal. 

The game came down to the wire, with Comets scoring the winning goal less than 90 seconds from the end.

Paisley Pirates v Dundee Tigers PO 1/4 final at Braehead Arena, Renfrew on 1 April 2023. Picture: Al Goold (www.algooldphoto.com) Twitter: @AlGooldPhoto Insta: @Clanphotos

It was a bittersweet weekend for the Pirates, as they won on Saturday, securing their place in the Playoff semi-finals, but suffered a loss on Sunday against Aberdeen, which knocked them out of the Scottish Cup. 

The playoff game against the Dundee Tigers was a nail-biter, with the Pirates dominating throughout the first two periods and leading 4-1 going into the last period. But the Tigers fought back and equalised forcing it into overtime and then to penalty shots. Pirates’ Gary Simpson scored the winning goal when it went to the penalty shootout.

Aberdeen Lynx had a very successful weekend, with an 11-1 win against North Ayrshire Wild on Saturday, securing their place in the Playoffs next weekend. 

On Sunday, they faced off against Paisley Pirates at Murrayfield and bagged a 4-3 win, securing their place in the Scottish Cup. After winning the league this season, Aberdeen now has a chance at more silverware and potentially the treble.

Aberdeen Lynx will be facing Kilmarnock Thunder and Paisley Pirates will take on Dundee Comets in the Playoff semi-finals at Murrayfield on Saturday. The winners will then play in the final on Sunday.

The following Saturday (15th April) is the season finale in Aberdeen where all age groups will be playing in the Scottish Cup finals. Aberdeen Lynx (seniors) will be facing off against Dundee Comets.

What a competitive season it has been and these last two weekends of hockey are not to be missed as there is sure to be more tight scores.

WEEKEND REVIEW: Playoff 1/4 finals kick off.

With the 22-23 league over there was no rest as the teams were back for the first weekend of the Playoff 1/4 finals.

North Ayr Wild headed to Aberdeen for a match that proved to be a one-sided affair. Despite being short-benched, North Ayr’s young team showed a lot of heart, but fresh from their league win Aberdeen was simply too strong for them.

Flynn Massie, a NAW U16 player, seemed unfazed on the ice playing in his first SNL game. This was also the Lynx’s 17 year old net minder, Rory Wood’s first full SNL game, and he put in a solid shift between the pipes.

In the first period, Aberdeen took an early lead, scoring their first goal just after a minute into the game. By the five-minute mark, they were already up 4-0, but North Ayr’s Ryan Campbell managed to get on the scoreboard. However, seconds before the end of the period, Dylan Murray scored an unassisted goal, finishing the period with a score of 8-2 in favour of Aberdeen.

Aberdeen continued to dominate in the second period, scoring three more goals while North Ayr switched their goaltender from Euan McTaggart to Scott Beverage. The third period saw Aberdeen net three more goals, with the last two of them being hat tricks by James Demeo and Nils Tanner bringing the final score to 14-2.

Saturday sees Aberdeen heading to North Ayr for the return leg, where North Ayr will be looking to bounce back from their heavy defeat. Aberdeen will be looking to maintain their dominance, while North Ayr will be hoping for a better outcome on home ice.

Picture by Gordon Fowley

It was an exciting game between Kilmarnock Thunder and Edinburgh Capitals. Despite finishing lower in the league, Thunder was able to secure the win against the second-placed Capitals.

Kilmarnock got off to a great start with Finally Anderson scoring the opening goal, followed by another goal just 10 minutes later. However, the Capitals were quick to respond with a goal from Alex Christian, bringing the score to 2-1 at the end of the first period.

In the second period, Thunder extended their lead by adding three more goals to their tally, which would have put them in a comfortable position going into the third period. 

However, the Caps showed their fighting spirit by scoring three quick goals in the third period, showing their ability to come back from behind and not lose heart.

With the score line at 5-4, it was all to play for, but Thunder’s Innes Gallacher scored his third goal of the game just seconds later, securing the win for his team with a final score of 6-4.

Kilmarnock Thunder will undoubtedly be pleased with their victory but the Capitals will be looking to come back stronger on home ice next weekend. 

Picture Derek Young Photography

Dundee Comets faced off against Kirkcaldy Kestrels at Fife Arena  in a highly-anticipated game. Both teams had been on an impressive run of form, with a series of wins under their belts.

The game started off with both sides eager to get an early advantage. It was the Comets who struck first, with Josh Hamilton scoring within the opening minutes of the game. However, the Kestrels soon responded with goals from Rolands Dietlavs and Richard Krogh, which put them ahead 2-1 at the end of the first period.

The second period saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. Sean Beattie scored for the Comets early on, which tied the game up once again. However, the Kestrels regained the lead with a goal from Allan Anderson in the 36th minute.

Heading into the final period, the game was finely poised, with both teams still in with a chance of winning. However, it was the Comets who took control of the match in the final 20 minutes. Ben Brown scored two goals, while Darren Donaldson and Beattie also got on the scoresheet, giving the Comets a commanding three-goal lead.

The Kestrels, to their credit, did not give up and kept fighting until the end. Scott Jamieson scored a late goal to make it 4-6, which boosted their chances of making a comeback in the second leg at Dundee Ice Arena next Saturday.

In a closely contested match, Paisley Pirates played Dundee Tigers at the Dundee Ice Arena on Sunday. The Pirates finished one point ahead of the Tigers in the league, which meant that the game was expected to be closely fought. 

In the first period, there was only one goal which was scored by Mikey Dobson for the Pirates. However, in the second period, Jardene Wallace found the back of the net for the Pirates followed shortly by a goal from Andrew Henderson while the Tigers were on a power play, bringing the score to 1-1.

The second period saw the Paisley side take an early lead with a goal from Jardine Wallace. But Tiger’s Andrew Henderson found the back of the net, equalising the score. However, Gary Simpson pushed the Pirates ahead going into the last period.

2-3 going into the last period, Marty Simpson scored for the Pirates just seconds into the start. But even with a goal in the last 10 minutes it wasn’t enough for the Tigers to clinch the win. 

It was a hard-fought game between two competitive teams, so all to play for in the 2nd leg. 

The outcome of the this weekends 2nd leg matches will determine the semi-final line up for the Playoff Weekend on the 8th and 9th April in Murrayfield. 


If you haven’t already got your Playoff Tickets they are on sale NOW, but no matter which team you support it’s set to be a competitive weekend of Hockey. 

WEEKEND REVIEW: Lynx celebrate 30 years of ice hockey with league win

The Scottish ice hockey season came to a thrilling end as the Aberdeen Lynx were crowned league champions after a nail-biting game against the Edinburgh Capitals. This season was the closest in the history of Scottish ice hockey, with many clubs still recovering from from the impact of the pandemic.

The showdown in Aberdeen was sold out in record time, and due to demand to watch the game Aberdeen put together a live stream on YouTube. With over 4500 views, and 11% of viewers tuning in from overseas it just reinforces what we’ve seen in the stands, the increasing interest in Ice Hockey in Scotland.

Going into the game, no one could have predicted who would win, as both teams were evenly matched. Early in the first period, Chad Sim opened the scoring for the Capitals, but ten minutes later, Aberdeen’s Gary Kelly found the back of the net, levelling the score.

In the second period, it was Lynx’s James Demeo who scored a short-handed goal, putting the Aberdeen side ahead. However, the Capitals were quick to respond, with Joel Gautschi levelling the scoreline less than a minute from the second break.

At 2-2, it was all down to the third period, and the atmosphere in the rink was electric as both teams fought for the win. The Capitals had to win in regulation time as if it went to OT even if the Caps scored Aberdeen would get a point and that would be enough to claim the title. 

The Capitals pulled their net minder, Craig Chalmers, in the dying minutes of the game, hoping to find the winning goal. But a breakaway goal by Lynx’s Ben Edmonds in the empty net with just nine seconds left on the clock had the crowd on their feet!

The Lynx have been celebrating 30 years of ice hockey in Aberdeen this season, and their first-ever league win was the perfect way to cap off the milestone. 

Coach Jordan Leyden said, “To be SNL league champions in what has been arguably, the hardest season to win it with the doubling of the games is unbelievable. 

I’m so proud of the hard work, effort and commitment of the guys, the deserve all the plaudits for everything they put in to it this season. 

As a club it’s a massive achievement as well, on what is our 30 year anniversary of ice hockey in Aberdeen, it feels like all the years that everyone has put in to help build the club and rebuild it after the rink closure has culminated to this. And to the fans that have been behind us from when we started this rebuild journey way back around 2010, their support doesn’t go unnoticed. 

To all involved in this club over the years, we did it! #GOCATS”

Picture by Ian Coyle

On Sunday, the Edinburgh Capitals played against North Ayr with a score of 9-0 in favour of the Capitals. This win helped them secure 2nd place in the league with 39 points.

With a late start to their season due to the delay in Murrayfield opening after the pandemic, it has been nothing short of remarkable the Caps achievements this season.  

Building a competitive team with no home ice when the league started and now attracting large crowds to Murrayfield, has shown how much hard work the Edinburgh team have put in on the ice and behind the scenes.

It was an impressive performance by the Capitals on Sunday, with all nine of their goals being scored by different players. This showcased the depth and versatility of the team’s offensive abilities.

North Ayr finished 8th in the league and will now take on the Lynx in Aberdeen on Saturday for the 1st leg of the Playoff 1/4 final this Saturday in Aberdeen.

The Lynx will be hoping there won’t be a repeat of what happened last year when North Ayr put them out of the playoffs. 

Picture by Derek Young Photography

Dundee Comets take up their position in 3rd place even after their 5-2 defeat against Kirkcaldy Kestrels on Saturday. 

Less than two minutes after puck drop the Kestrels’ Richard Rough scores his first of three goals of the game. But the Comets fought back and scored twice.

After the 2nd break the tide changed as the Kestrels managed to slip two more goals past the Comets net minder Toni Tammi. 3-2 going into the last period the Kestrels upped the anti and found the back of the net two more times, adding another victory to their winning streak. 

The Kestrels have finished on 34 points, just 1 point behind the Comets and 6th in the league. 

Paisley Pirates take 4th place with the Dundee Tigers in 5th just one point behind. After their win against Edinburgh Capitals the previous weekend the Tigers’ spirits would have been high going into their last game of the season against the Pirates. 

A very close game until the last period with both sides scoring 4 goals each. But the Tigers moved it up a gear and found the back of the net 3 more times bagging a 7-4 win. 

The Tigers have struggled at times to find their form this season, but after their last 2 wins they will be looking to repeat their recent performances at the playoff 1/4 final when they take on the Pirates. 

There was a chance at the weekend that the Pirates could have clinched the league title so they will be hungry for some silverware as we head into the Playoffs and Scottish Cup. 

Kilmarnock Thunder finished 7th in the league on 16 points, after gaining two more points with a win against North Ayrshire Wild on Saturday. 

The game between Thunder and NA Wild was a heated one, with Kilmarnock coming out on top with a convincing 6-1 victory. It’s always great to see multiple players getting on the score sheet, and the fact that Kilmarnock had six different goal scorers shows a well-rounded team.

Kilmarnock Thunder will be taking on Edinburgh Capitals this weekend in the Playoff 1/4 finals at the Galleon Centre. 

Last weekend just mirrored how the season has been so far with no-one able to predict the outcome of the games, and any one of them able to bag the win on the night. 

WEEKEND REVIEW: League leaders title battle continues

It was another thrilling weekend of ice hockey with Aberdeen Lynx having the league title within reach. Hockey fans were out in force as the battle for the top enters the final stages.

On Saturday, Dundee Tigers headed south to Murrayfield to take on the Edinburgh Capitals. 

Chad Smith opened the scoring for the Capitals early in the 1st period, but John Gordon responded with a short-handed goal for the Tigers at 10:53. 

All level going into the 2nd the Tigers took control with 2 more goals. 

With less than 2 minutes left on the clock, Capitals Alex Christian scored narrowing the Tigers lead. But Callum Hill scored his 2nd goal of the evening for the Dundee side just 26 seconds later, securing the win for the Tigers with a final score of 4-2.

Picture by RS Photography

Meanwhile, in Aberdeen, the Lynx took on Dundee Comets. The Comets have been on a winning streak lately and had the potential to disrupt Aberdeen’s push for the title. 

Darren Donaldson opened the scoring for the Comets at 7 minutes, quickly followed by a goal from Richard Hartman less than a minute later. 

Lynx’s James Demeo found the back of the net soon after, bringing the score to 1-2 at the end of the second period.

Comets Sam McCluskey extended their lead while on the power play, but Lynx’s Gary Kelly followed soon after with two goals. 

Player/coach Jordan Leyden put the Lynx in the lead with another goal, but not for long as the Comets scored again just 3 minutes later.

Starting the final period 4-4 it looked like Aberdeen could do it, but the Comets dug deep and scored again twice to take the win.

Kirkcaldy Kestrels travelled to North Ayr to take on NA Wild on Saturday for the first game of their double header weekend.

The Kestrels had also been racking up the points bolstering their league position with winning their last 4 games. The three times these two teams have met this season they have bagged the win.  

With a strong start scoring their first of 12 goals just three and a half minutes the Kestrels took no prisoners. 

By midway though the 2nd period North Ayr were 5 goals down and Netmider Scott Beverage took over from Evan McTaggart between the pipes, but with Kestrels on the offensive it wasn’t enough to stem the goals.

The 3rd period saw North Ayr’s defence step up creating less chances and less shots on goal but they couldn’t stop the well drilled Kirkcaldy side taking the 12-0 win.  

Picture by Derek Young Photography

After a disappointing result for the Lynx on the previous night they headed to Kirkcaldy for their second game of the weekend and another shot at the league title. 

Another massive game for the Aberdeen side they had great support in the stands from their travelling fans. 

The Lynx created plenty opportunities but found it hard to get past Kirkcaldy’s defence. Allan Anderson opened the scoring for the Kestrels in the 1st period, but James Demeo levelled it for the Lynx with 5 seconds left before the 1st break.

All even at 1-1 it was Jay Duncan that bagged the 2nd goal for the Kestrels, ending the 2nd period 2-1 up. 

Just minutes into the 3rd period Scott Jameson scored pushing the Kestrels ahead. Nils Tanner narrowed the Kestrels lead with a goal just 10 minutes before the end but after a hard fought battle the final score was 3-2 to the Kestrels.

The title will now be decided this weekend. Fans are eagerly anticipating Saturday’s game and the final showdown of the league leaders, with the Lynx versus Capitals game in Aberdeen already sold out. But whatever the outcome, it is sure to be close!

WEEKEND REVIEW: Pirates steal the win in the last second.

It is down to the wire for the top of the league with after a heart racing Saturday night of hockey! 

All eyes were on the top of the table as Aberdeen Lynx went into the weekend 5 points ahead of rivals Edinburgh Capitals.

Paisley Pirates headed to the Linx Ice Arena followed by their great travelling support. The battle on the ice was intensified with chants, horns and drums in the stands from passionate fans from both sides. 

Both teams came out all guns blazing but it was Lynx player-coach Jordan Leyden that scored the opening goal halfway through the first period. 

The Lynx were leading 1-0 after the break but Paisley number 8 Marty Simpson levelled the scoring with a Power Play goal. 

Less than a minute later Jonathan Hogan from the Lynx netted the Aberdeen side’s 2nd goal of the evening, followed shortly by with another from Sean Dyer, finishing the period 3-1.

But the tables started to turn in the 3rd period with a short handed goal by Pirates Gary Simpson. The Pirates were piling on the pressure and Lynx net minder Dale Shear was kept busy between the pipes. 

With just 3 minutes remaining on the clock Gary Simpson scored with an equaliser. Last time these two teams met in February, Aberdeen took the win in overtime, so it was looking that this could be a possibility again. 

With only 1 second to go Pirates Marty Simpson bagged the winning goal on the Power Play giving the Pirates the 2 points they needed to make it into 3rd place in the league. 

Lynx Coach Jordan Leyden said: “To lose the way we did is really disappointing. I felt we played well for 2 periods but hockey is 3 period game and we have to ensure we keep our standards across all 3 periods. We have another big weekend coming up and the guys are ready for it.”

In a highly anticipated match-up between the North Ayrshire Wild and the Edinburgh Capitals, the Capitals proved to be too much for their opponents, winning by a score of 5-1.

The game started off with both teams striving to create opportunities in the opening minutes. However, it was the Capitals who were able to strike first, scoring just 4 minutes into the game with a goal from Chad Smith. 

They continued to dominate throughout the period, adding two more goals to their tally and putting North Ayrshire on the back foot.

The second period saw a more determined home team, and they were finally able to break through the Capitals’ defence and score, bringing the score to 3-1. However, the Capitals were not to be outdone, and they responded with a goal by Ross Borwick to extend their lead once again.

The third period saw the Capitals continue to dominate possession and create chances, eventually Chad Smith scoring another to seal the victory. North Ayrshire fought hard until the final whistle, but were unable to make any further inroads into the Capitals’ lead.

Overall, it was a disappointing result for North Ayrshire, who struggled to match the intensity of the well drilled Edinburgh side. The Capitals will take home the two league points as they continue their push for the top of the league table .

In an exciting match-up between the Kirkcaldy Kestrels and the Kilmarnock Thunder, the Kestrels emerged victorious with a 4-2 win in front of their home crowd.

Thunder started off the game strong, with Connor McNulty opening the scoring with a goal just 8 minutes into the game. However, the Kestrels responded almost immediately, with a goal of their own by Kyle Horne. 

Thunder were undeterred  and retook the lead less than a minute after that with a goal by Ross Andreucci. The Kestrels fought back once again and George Pitcaithly finding the back of the net to even the score at 2-2.

The second period saw both teams play very defensively, with neither team able to break through and score a goal. However, the Kirkcaldy side came out firing in the third period, scoring two quick goals at the 45 and 57 minute marks to take a commanding 4-2 lead. 

Thunder dug deep to get back into the game, but were unable to break through the Kestrels’ defense. Kilmarnock were able to overcome an early deficit and take control of the game in the third period and take home the two league points bringing them equal in point at 28 with Dundee Tigers. 

SATURDAY RESULTS

Aberdeen Lynx 3 Paisley Pirates 4
Kirkcaldy Kestrels 4 Kilmarnock Thunder 2
North Ayrshire Wild 1 Edinburgh Capitals 5