Picture by Derek Young Photography
After three matchups this weekend, the Scottish Ice Hockey League table remains as tight as ever, with teams holding their positions in the standings. Here’s a breakdown of the weekend’s action.
Saturday: Kirkcaldy Kestrels vs. Dundee Rockets
Fife Ice Arena
The Kirkcaldy Kestrels, riding a wave of strong form, faced off against the formidable Dundee Rockets in an exhilarating clash. The Kestrels made a thunderous start on home ice, netting three goals within the opening ten minutes. However, the Rockets regrouped, with Euan Simpson replacing Dale Shearer in goal to stabilise their defense.
The second period saw George Pitcaithly extend the Kestrels’ lead to 4-0 with his first goal of the night. Rockets’ new signing Ben Brown responded with their first goal, but Pitcally struck again on the power play, widening the gap to 5-1. Undeterred, the Rockets fought back, with Sean Beattie narrowing the deficit to 5-2 heading into the third period.
In a dramatic final frame, the Rockets‘ determination paid off as they netted three more goals to equalise. The game went into overtime, where Lewis McIntosh clinched the winner—his second goal of the night—securing two points for the Rockets. The Kestrels earned one point for the overtime loss.
Final Score: Rockets 6, Kestrels 5 (OT)
Saturday: North Ayrshire Wild vs. Edinburgh Capitals
Murrayfield Ice Rink
North Ayrshire Wild headed to Edinburgh to face the Edinburgh Capitals in a spirited battle. The Capitals struck first, with Adam Robinson finding the net, but Kyle Howie quickly equalised for the Wild.
The second period saw an early goal from Chad Smith that put the Capitals ahead, but Liam Houston‘s response for the Wild kept the game close. However, the Capitals hit their stride, adding three more goals to close the period 6-2.
The final frame saw the Wild dig deep, with netminder Caiden MacColl delivering a valiant effort between the pipes. Despite this, Aidan Paterson broke through, sealing the win for Edinburgh. The Wild showed grit, making it a challenging outing for the Capitals.
Final Score: Capitals 8, Wild 2
Sunday: Aberdeen Lynx vs. Paisley Pirates
Braehead Arena
League leaders Aberdeen Lynx travelled west to face the Paisley Pirates in a tightly contested matchup. The Lynx struck early, with Owen Michie scoring a power play goal just five minutes into the game. Despite chances on both sides, the opening period ended 1-0.
The second period was a defensive stalemate, with both teams battling hard but unable to capitalise on opportunities. Six minutes into the third, Jordan Leyden doubled the Lynx’s lead with another power play goal.
The Pirates pushed for a comeback, but the Lynx defense held firm, securing a 2-0 win. With this victory, the Lynx maintained their position at the top of the table.
Final Score: Lynx 2, Pirates 0
As the league heats up, every point matters. Stay tuned for more action next weekend as teams continue their battle for the top spot!
