It was a pivotal weekend in Scottish Ice Hockey as the last games before the Christmas break saw league positions reshuffled. Dundee Rockets climbed to the summit of the table after a four-point weekend, making them the team to beat heading into the new year. Of the four scheduled games, only three went ahead, with the North Ayrshire Wild vs. Kilmarnock Thunder game postponed due to ice issues at the Auchenharvie rink.
Dundee Rockets 4 – Edinburgh Capitals 3 (OT)
Dundee Rockets began their weekend with a thrilling overtime win against the Edinburgh Capitals in front of a lively home crowd. Both teams came into this clash having taken points off each other earlier in the season.
The Capitals struck first, with Joel Gatsaui scoring after just five minutes. However, the Rockets wasted no time responding, as Jack Henderson equalised less than a minute later. Rockets’ Rio Page then took center stage, netting two goals to give the home side a 3-1 lead by the end of the first period.
The second period saw a determined Capitals side narrow the gap with a goal from chad smith, making it 3-2. The third period was a tense affair, with Capitals’ Joe Lynch scoring the equaliser to send the game into overtime. But the extra frame was short-lived, as Rio Page completed his hat trick just 46 seconds into OT, securing a 4-3 victory and a crucial two points for the Rockets.
Aberdeen Lynx 4 – Paisley Pirates 3 (OT)
The Aberdeen Lynx delivered another nail-biting performance at home, edging the Paisley Pirates in overtime in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
It took almost 16 minutes for the game’s first goal, scored by Lynx’s Gary Kelly—his first since returning to the team. Just minutes later, Mark Laing doubled the lead with a power-play goal, putting the Lynx up 2-0 heading into the second period.
The Pirates came roaring back in the middle frame, capitalising on power-play opportunities with goals from Chris Wilson and Fraser Kerr. While the Lynx defense struggled at times, Jordan Leyden’s strike ensured Aberdeen entered the third period with a slender 3-2 lead.
The final period was a nail-biter, with Lewis Stewart finding the equaliser for the Pirates. Neither side could break the deadlock before regulation ended, forcing the game into overtime. Jodan Leyden proved to be Lynx’s hero, scoring just under two minutes into OT to secure the win and an important two points for the Lynx.
Kirkcaldy Kestrels 1 – Dundee Rockets 6
Sunday’s matchup saw the Rockets face a resilient Kirkcaldy Kestrels side in a game that remained goalless through two periods. While the Rockets had slightly more opportunities, the Kestrels’ defense and goaltending kept them at bay.
The deadlock was broken five minutes into the final period when Rockets’ Sean Beattie found the net. The Kestrels quickly responded, with Scott Jamieson scoring an equaliser. However, a power-play goal by John Dolan tipped the balance decisively in Dundee’s favour. The Rockets then unleashed an offensive onslaught, netting four more goals to secure a dominant 6-1 victory and another two points.
League Standings Overview
With their four-point haul, the Dundee Rockets leapfrogged the Aberdeen Lynx to take the top spot in the league. Both teams now sit on 21 points, but the Rockets superior goal difference gives them the edge in a tightly contested race.
The Capitals’ overtime loss earned them a crucial point, moving them back into third place with 16 points, just one ahead of the Kestrels. As the league heads into the Christmas break, every point remains vital in a season that’s shaping up to be closer than ever.