Category: Seniors

Weekend Preview: SNL Action

Another thrilling weekend of Scottish Ice Hockey League action is on the horizon. With the league standings starting to take shape, every game becomes crucial, and this weekend promises some intense battles. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Saturday:

Thunder vs Pirates – The league leader, Kilmarnock Thunder, is set to face off against the Paisley Pirates in a high-stakes showdown. Thunder currently sits at the top with 6 points, while Pirates have earned 3 points. Thunder has been in impressive form, winning 3 out of the 4 league games they’ve played. In contrast, Pirates have only played two league games so far with one win and a close overtime loss.

Caps vs Wild – North Ayrshire Wild embarks on a challenging journey to Murrayfield, where they’ll take on the well-coached Edinburgh Capitals. Wild is coming off a thrilling overtime victory against the Pirates last weekend and aims to build on that momentum. Capitals, with 4 points, had a successful weekend last time, winning both of their games, and will be looking to maintain their winning streak.

Lynx vs Comets – The Aberdeen Lynx host the Dundee Comets in a highly anticipated game that promises to electrify a sold-out crowd. Both teams are currently tied at 6 points in the league standings. Lynx has secured their last two games, while Comets won their most recent match. This game carries an added level of intensity as both teams are eager to dethrone the Thunder from the top spot.

Sunday:

Kestrels vs Tigers – On Sunday, the Dundee Tigers will embark on a short journey to Kirkcaldy to take on the Kirkcaldy Kestrels. Both teams had disappointing results last weekend and will be determined to turn things around. Kestrels are currently positioned 5th in the league with 4 points, while the Tigers have 2 points to their name, making this match a crucial opportunity for both teams to climb the ranks.

With the league standings in flux and every point crucial. Strap in, fans, and get ready for the drama, excitement, and skill that the SNL has to offer!

Weekend Pictures

DateGameTime/ResultsLeague
Kilmarnock Thunder vs Paisley PiratesScottish National League
Edinburgh Capitals vs North Ayrshire WildScottish National League
Aberdeen Lynx vs Dundee CometsScottish National League
Kirkcaldy Kestrels vs Dundee TigersScottish National League

STATEMENT: Discriminatory behaviour

After such a positive start to the season at both a senior and junior level SIH (Scottish Ice Hockey) are disappointed to be receiving reports that potentially discriminatory behaviour is happening once again. These have included incidents which may be considered sexual and of an abusive nature.

And whilst we are pleased to confirm that no reports of a racist nature have been received this year we reiterate that such behaviour will be treated with the same uncompromising approach.

SIH are, for the avoidance of doubt restating their position on such behaviour.

There is no place for such abhorrent behaviour in our sport or society and SIH would like to be clear in stating that it will not be tolerated at any level.

Such incidents are a direct assault on the ideals and values of our game, and we will do all that is necessary to investigate such reported occurrences with a view to ensure that this behaviour is sanctioned appropriately.

Abuse and Harassment is clearly defined and all those engaged in our sport, whether players, staff, fans or any other party should make sure that they understand the definition and our position.

IIHF Abuse & Harassment

SIH make no apologies for the hard line which will be taken to remove such behaviour from our sport and we stand firm and resolute in our commitment in playing our part in making our sport, and all sport across the world a respectful environment free of abuse and harassment.

Please enjoy our sport but always remember to be respectful, have fun and be kind.

Weekend Roundup

Five league games took place this weekend, despite the wet and windy Scottish weather.

The Edinburgh Capitals played their first two games of the SNL and secured two wins. On Saturday, they faced Kilmarnock Thunder at home, and on Sunday, they made the short journey to Fife to take on the Kirkcaldy Kestrels.

The league leaders, Thunder, opened the scoring with a goal within the first few minutes and added a second shorthanded goal at the beginning of the 2nd period. The Capitals were over halfway through the game before Andrew Craik scored Edinburgh’s first goal. Innes Gallagher notched his second goal of the game for Thunder just a few minutes later. Going into the final period, Thunder led 3-2. The Caps found their stride and scored three more in quick succession, securing a 5-3 victory.

Fresh from their win the previous evening, the Capitals were ready to take on Kirkcaldy Kestrels. This Fife fixture is always a tough one, but the Caps wasted no time, finding the back of the net three times before the first intermission. Another goal just 27 seconds into the 2nd period extended their lead, but the Kestrels didn’t give up, and Scott Jamieson scored for the Fife side. With a further goal, the score was 4-2 going into the final period, and although both sides fought hard, neither could find the back of the net. The final score was 4-2 in favour of the Capitals.

Capitals coach Steven Lynch said, “It was great to kick off our league season with two wins over the weekend against two strong teams. We had to work really hard in both games to secure those wins. Kilmarnock got off to a very good start at Murrayfield on Saturday night, and we had a fantastic second half of the game, especially in the first five minutes of the third period when we scored three goals to take control. In Sunday’s game in Kirkcaldy, we got off to a strong start, going up 4-0, but as expected, they came back hard. They weren’t just going to lie down and accept defeat; they made a competitive game of it. However, we stuck to our game plan and managed to shut them down in the third period, making it a great four-point weekend.”

Weekend Results 7/10 – 8/10

DateGameTime/ResultsLeague
Edinburgh Capitals vs Kilmarnock ThunderScottish National League
North Ayrshire Wild vs Dundee CometsScottish National League
Dundee Tigers vs Aberdeen LynxScottish National League
Paisley Pirates vs North Ayrshire WildScottish National League
Kirkcaldy Kestrels vs Edinburgh CapitalsScottish National League

Aberdeen Lynx moved up to 2nd place in the league with a double-point win against the Dundee Tigers on Saturday. Now on 6 points, they are 2nd in the table, just behind Kilmarnock Thunder and ahead of Dundee Comets. The stakes were high with 4 points up for grabs, but the Aberdeen side wasted no time, with John Dolan scoring his first of four goals of the night just 1 minute and 32 seconds into the game. The Tigers fought hard but couldn’t overcome the Lynx’s 2-goal lead, and the game finished 5-3 in favour of Aberdeen.

Paisley Pirates v North Ayrshire Wild at Braehead Arena, Renfrew on 8 October 2023. Picture: Al Goold (www.algooldphoto.com) Twitter: @AlGooldPhoto Insta: @Clanphotos

It was a bittersweet weekend for North Ayrshire Wild, with a 4-2 loss against the Dundee Comets on Saturday but a win against the Paisley Pirates on Sunday at the Braeside Arena. In the Comets game Dylan Murray opened the scoring for the Wild with a power-play goal, but in this intense game, they struggled to break through their oponents defense. The 2nd period saw the Comets score 2 goals, taking the lead. However, it was the last few minutes of the game that decided the outcome. Wild evened the scoreline, but with 2 goals in the dying minutes of the game, the Comets secured the win.

Facing another formidable team on Sunday, Wild regrouped and were ready to go again. Chris Wilson from the Pirates scored first, but it was in the 2nd period that Wild found their stride, netting 4 goals. It was 4-3 in favour of the Pirates going into the final period, but both teams scored an early goal. However, Tom Johnson for the Pirates bagged the equaliser on a power play. Tied 5-5 at the final whistle, it was Dylan Murray from the Wild who secured the win just 6 seconds into overtime.

The league table is looking very different from last season, with any one of the teams capable of taking the points on the night. It promises to be another thrilling year for Scottish Ice Hockey!

Scottish National League (SNL)

PosTeamGPWLOTGFGADiffPTSStrk
11082055352016W7
21284050311916L1
3972039281114W2
4156904850-212W1
595313738-111L1
695405647910W1
7115602834-610W1
81511403686-502L8

Who will be making it though to the Scottish Cup semi finals?

This weekend in Scottish ice hockey features exciting matchups, including the return leg of the Scottish Cup 1/4 finals and Northern League clashes.

SATURDAY:

  • Edinburgh Capitals meets Kirkcaldy Kestrels (Northern League) – Caps’ first Northern League game as they take on Kirkcaldy Kestrels who are sitting top of the Northern League table having already played 2 games.
  • Aberdeen Lynx faces North Ayrshire Wild – Lynx dominated last weekend with a 4-0 win at the Galleon Centre, but can the young teams from North Ayrshire turn the tide in front of the Aberdeen’s crowd and make it through to the semi finals?
  • Dundee Comets battles Dundee Tigers – Last week’s close encounter ended in the Comets’ favour with s 2-1 win. The Tigers will be hungry for a comeback in this Dundee derby, get set for what is sure to be another competitive game.
Picture by: JT Photography

SUNDAY:

  • Edinburgh Capitals hosts Paisley Pirates – A busy weekend for the Capitals with a double header. The well drilled Edinburgh side will seeking to replicate last weekend’s 8-1 win, but Pirates will be well-rested but will have to keep their cool if they are to pull things back and stay in the competition.
  • Kirkcaldy Kestrels clashes with Kilmarnock Thunder – Kestrels look formidable after a their 7-1 victory last weekend against SNL leaders Thunder. It will be a very different game at the Fife Arena with the larger ice pad.

Keep up to date with all the weekends on ice action and follow your local teams on their social media channels.

Weekend Results 7/10 – 8/10
5 - 3
Scottish National League
2023-2024
Murrayfield Ice Rink

Edinburgh Capitals vs Kilmarnock Thunder

2 - 4
Scottish National League
2023-2024
Auchenharvie Leisure Centre

North Ayrshire Wild vs Dundee Comets

3 - 5
Scottish National League
2023-2024
Dundee Ice Arena

Dundee Tigers vs Aberdeen Lynx

5 - 6
Scottish National League
2023-2024
Braehead Arena

Paisley Pirates vs North Ayrshire Wild

2 - 4
Scottish National League
2023-2024
Fife Ice Arena

Kirkcaldy Kestrels vs Edinburgh Capitals

Weekend Roundup – Scottish Cup

This weekend marked the kickoff of the Scottish Cup games in Scottish ice hockey. Let’s dive into the action-packed matches that unfolded:

SATURDAY:

Paisley Pirates vs. Edinburgh Capitals

The Paisley Pirates headed East to Murrayfield to face off against the Edinburgh Capitals. However, it was the Capitals who triumphed with an impressive 8-1 victory in a very physical game. Chad Smith opened the scoring for the Capitals with less than 3 minutes left in the first period. The second period saw three more goals from the Capitals and one from the Pirates courtesy of Mikey Dobson. In the final period, the Capitals extended their lead with an additional four goals.

Kilmarnock Thunder vs. Kirkcaldy Kestrels

The weekend started with Kilmarnock Thunder hosting the Kirkcaldy Kestrels. The Kestrels soared to victory with a commanding 7-1 win. Thunder’s Innes Gallacher kicked things off with a goal just 1 minute and 16 seconds into the game, but Conor Duncan quickly responded with a power play goal for the Kestrels. Scott Jamieson then went on to secure his first of three goals, closing the first period with a score of 2-1 in favour of the Kestrels. The second period saw no goals, but in the final frame, the Kestrels unleashed a barrage of five goals, including one from Conor Duncan just 19 seconds before the game’s end.

Pictures by JT Photography

Aberdeen Lynx vs. North Ayrshire Wild

Aberdeen Lynx made the long journey to North Ayr to take on North Ayrshire Wild. Lynx dominated the game, securing a 4-0 victory. Josh Purvis opened the scoring for the Lynx, and in the second period, they took full advantage of the power plays with two more quick goals from John Dolan and James Demeo. The final goal of the night came from Mark Laing.

Sunday:

Dundee Tigers vs. Dundee Comets

In a rescheduled game originally slated for the previous night, the Dundee Tigers faced off against the Dundee Comets. The Comets came out on top with a narrow 2-1 win. Richard Harman kicked off the scoring for the Comets at the 14-minute mark of the first period. Michael Beca evened the score with a power play goal for the Tigers in the second period. The game’s winning goal came from Michael Ireland in the final period, securing the victory for the Comets.

Looking Ahead:

Stay tuned for the upcoming weekend as we anticipate the return leg of the Scottish Cup games.

Weekend Roundup

Picture by Gordon Fowley

This weekend’s Scottish Ice Hockey action delivered thrilling games with two SNL clashes and the debut of the Northern League.

In the matchup between North Ayrshire Wild and Kilmarnock Thunder, it was set to be a hot fixture for Ayrshire. The game promised excitement as players had switched sides recently. Thunder’s Innes Gallacher set the tone with a lightning-fast goal just 2.23 seconds in, followed by Torran Anderson’s power play strike. Tensions flared, leading to Wild’s Scott Rae ejection from the game. Despite a fierce second period, neither team found the net until Kyle Howie scored for Wild at 35 minutes. The final score stood at Wild 1, Thunder 2.

Over at Linx Ice Arena, Aberdeen Lynx hosted the Dundee Tigers in their first home game of the season. Tiger’s net minder Dom Jaglar was under pressure from the Aberdeen Side, but he put in a great performance. The Tigers emerged victorious, highlighted by power-play goals from Callum Hill and a short-handed effort by Jack Henderson in the first period. The Tigers added two more in the second, while Lynx’s Gary Kelly notched one. Despite John Dolan’s first Lynx goal, the Tigers secured an 8-3 victory, keeping the Lynx at bay.

Sunday night saw the Northern League’s debut at the Gallon Centre as Kilmarnock Thunder faced the Kirkcaldy Kestrels. James Spence’s early goal set the Kestrels on course for victory, with two more before the end of the first period. Thunder’s Stephen Bonare scored in the second, but the Kestrels continued to dominate, securing a 5-1 lead by the third period. The Kestrels closed the game with two more goals for a decisive win.

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NEW Northern league starts this weekend

Excitement is building as the Northern League kicks off this Sunday. This league brings together three Scottish ice hockey teams – Kilmarnock Thunder, Edinburgh Capitals, and Kirkcaldy Kestrels – along with EIHA team, the Blackburn Hawks.

Borne out of an initial suggestion from Hawks management, this league was met with enthusiasm from the Scottish teams that could make it happen. The relationship between the Blackburn Hawks and Kirkcaldy Kestrels, who share two-way players, adds an extra layer of camaraderie to the mix.

Last season, the SNL (Scottish National League) saw an increase in games, leading to a surge in the sport’s popularity. The Northern League aims to capitalise on this momentum, offering fans and players alike more competitive games that promise to enhance the development of ice hockey in Scotland.

The format is simple yet exciting: each team will play one home game and one away game, with the top team in the league taking home the title.

This weekend, Kirkcaldy Kestrels will travel to Kilmarnock to face off against Kilmarnock Thunder, promising a thrilling showdown. However, it won’t be an easy weekend for Kilmarnock Thunder, as they face North Ayrshire Wild the day before in a SNL game, making for a challenging back-to-back series.

Scottish ice hockey fans, get ready for an action-packed season ahead!

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Title: Exciting Start to the 2023-24 Scottish Ice Hockey Season: Weekend Roundup

The 2023-24 Scottish Ice Hockey season kicked off with a bang over the weekend, featuring a thrilling lineup of games that left fans on the edge of their seats. From high-scoring battles to nail-biting comebacks, it was an action-packed opening to the season.

Kilmarnock Thunder vs. Aberdeen Lynx: A Goal-Filled Opener

The weekend started with Kilmarnock Thunder hosting last year’s league champions, the Aberdeen Lynx, at a packed out Galleon Centre. In a fast-paced first period, Calum Boyd of Kilmarnock Thunder scored just a minute into the game. The Lynx responded swiftly with a goal from their captain, Ben Edmonds. Thunder’s Innes Gallacher had a remarkable period, netting five goals, giving the home team an 8-4 lead by the end of the first.

The Lynx found their footing in the second period, narrowing the gap to 9-8 by the period’s conclusion. The final period remained tight, with both teams scoring another goal each. However, Thunder held on to secure a 10-9 victory in a game that showcased their offensive prowess.

Picture by KMR Media

Dundee Comets tame North Ayr Wild

The Dundee Comets took on the North Ayr Wild in a game with double points on the line due to ice time constraints at the Dundee Arena. The Comets opened the scoring in the first period through Billy Baxter. The second period saw back-and-forth action, with North Ayr’s Luca De Simone scoring twice and Keegan Cairns extending the Comets’ lead to 4-2.

Both teams managed to score one more goal each in the final period, resulting in a 5-3 victory for the Comets. The game highlighted the Comets‘ ability to maintain their lead while fending off their opponents’ efforts.

Comets coach, Richard Hartmann senior said, “It was a classic first game as we never had any pre-season games, that’s why it was maybe a little rusty and the guys sometimes unsure where to be. But I think the game had quite a good tempo and it was side to side the first two periods.  In the third the tempo dropped a little but we found a way to win and that’s what counts. We know all the little things we need to work on for the upcoming games.”

Picture courtesy of Kirkcaldy Kestrels

Kirkcaldy Kestrels vs. Dundee Tigers: A Battle of Determination

In another double-points match, the Kirkcaldy Kestrels faced off against the Dundee Tigers. The Kestrels got off to a strong start with two goals in the first period. Despite the Tigers‘ comeback attempts, Finley King’s goal extended the Kestrels’ lead after the break.

The Tigers displayed resilience with two goals of their own, keeping the game competitive. However, a series of three quick goals from the Kestrels in the final period secured their lead. Despite a late goal from the Tigers‘ Captain Paul Guilcher, the Kestrels held on for the win.

The opening weekend provided a taste of the action-packed season ahead. Fans can look forward to more intense matchups, impressive plays, and memorable moments as the teams continue their journey in the 2023-24 Scottish Ice Hockey season.

Check out the latest league standings HERE

Don’t miss on the latest SNL Fixtures – add to your calendar!

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Breaking Barriers: Jamie Thomson Unveils Innovative Approach to Junior Hockey Age Restrictions

Jamie Thomson – Head Of Hockey Operations

Since conception of the new Scottish Ice Hockey board we have been looking at barriers that we consider are hold the sport back in our country and what we can do to knock as many of them down as possible. 

One of those barriers was basing a players ability to safely compete at a higher (older) age group based on their date of birth. Specifically talented teenager’s not being able to play Senior Ice Hockey until the day of their 16th birthday. This is something we believe has stifled talent over the past few years and that there are far more measurable metrics to use to make sure we support out talent safely and as much as possible while developing them.

We have discussed and tested changing/removing these barriers over several months now and I’m very glad to be able to announce that we have introduced a process that will allow those players ready to get ahead and continue developing

We have put in place strict criteria and assessment processes to ensure the players safety comes first but believe this to be a ground breaking move that will really benefit players whose development would be stalling until a birthday.

Senior fixtures for the 23-24 season

Scottish Ice Hockey is pleased to announce the details of the upcoming Scottish National League (SNL) senior competitions for the 2023/4 season. 

Following the success of last year’s league extension to two home and two away games, we are delighted to confirm this will continue and is now the ‘new normal’.

As with last season, Dundee Tigers and Dundee Comets will only play one home game each against the other clubs for double points due to ice time constraints. SIH and the Dundee clubs will continue to work together to try to find a longer-term solution to this with Dundee Ice Arena. 

The season will commence on Saturday, 2nd September, when the Comets host North Ayrshire Wild and Kilmarnock Thunder face Aberdeen Lynx.

The play-off format will remain unchanged from last season, with the final league positions determining the match-ups – 1v8, 2v7, 3v6 and 4v5. The seeding will continue to the semi-final stage, with the highest positioned team playing the lowest ranked side which progress from the quarter-finals. 

The play-off final weekend will be staged again at Murrayfield Ice Arena on 13/14th April, with two semi-finals on the Saturday and the final the following day.

The Scottish Cup will revert to a home and away leg format at the quarter-final and semi-final stage, with a one-off final to be played at a venue to be confirmed.

After some very positive collaborative meetings between the SNL clubs, the spirit of cooperation to organise next season with as many games as possible is greatly appreciated. This continues to raise both the standard and profile of the league, providing a clear pathway for our junior players to aspire to.

View Fixtures HERE