Picture by Ian Coyle

Capitals vs Kestrels – Edge of the Seat Drama

Fans were treated to one of the most thrilling contests of the season so far as Edinburgh Capitals and Kirkcaldy Kestrels went head-to-head in a weekend double header.

Saturday’s clash in Edinburgh was a back-and-forth battle that went the distance. Joe Lynch led the way for the Capitals with five goals, but the Kestrels refused to back down, answering every time the hosts pulled ahead. The sides couldn’t be separated at the end of regulation or five minutes of overtime, sending the game to penalties. In the shootout, Sean Cochrane found the decisive goal to edge a 6–5 win for Edinburgh.

Sunday in Kirkcaldy had a different feel. The Kestrels struck first through captain Scott Jamieson, but the Capitals responded with a blistering second period, firing five goals – two of them on the powerplay – to swing the momentum. The Kestrels rallied with two in the third, but the Capitals held firm to close out a 5–3 win and claim a full four-point weekend. Edinburgh now move up to third in the standings, while Kirkcaldy leave with a single point from Saturday’s shootout.

Lynx Hit Top Gear

Aberdeen Lynx recorded their biggest win of the season with a 23–1 victory over Kilmarnock Thunder at the Linx Ice Arena, a result that lifted them into second place and extended their winning streak to three games.

Aberdeen set the pace early with 11 goals in the first period. Jaydn Baxter and Mark Kaing both struck four times across the night, while Conor Duncan added a hat-trick. Seventeen-year-old Lennon Stephen also marked the occasion with his first senior goal in front of the home crowd.

Thunder, still searching for their first win, travelled with a short and youthful bench but battled throughout. Their perseverance was rewarded in the third period when Thomas Sutherland netted, earning warm applause from both sets of fans.

Rockets Tested in Auchenharvie

Dundee Rockets made the trip west on Saturday for just their second outing of the season, facing North Ayrshire Wild at Auchenharvie.

The defending league champions started strong with four goals in the opening frame, three of them from Lewis McIntosh, who later added a fourth in the second period. The Wild, though, showed real determination and struck back with two powerplay goals, proving they could test the visitors.

John Gordon rounded off the Rockets’ tally in the third for an 8–2 final, but North Ayrshire’s effort — backed by a solid performance from netminder Caiden MacColl — earned recognition. Both sides picked up penalties across the game, though it was surprising to see the usually disciplined Rockets take more calls than expected.

Warriors Unbeaten Streak Continues

Whitley Warriors hosted Paisley Pirates on Sunday and kept their perfect start to the season intact with a 7–2 win.

The home side struck first with a shorthanded goal from Callum Queenan, before Pirates’ Craig Peacock levelled the game. Another shorthanded effort restored Whitley’s advantage ahead of the first break.

Whitley took control in the second period with two unanswered goals to build a commanding lead. Early in the third, they switched goaltenders as Jacob Midgley replaced Thomas Brown, but the momentum stayed with the Warriors. Three more goals followed, including a powerplay strike from Ross Douglass, before the Pirates grabbed a late consolation. The result keeps Whitley top of the table with five wins from five.

Standings Snapshot

Whitley Warriors remain top with a perfect 10 points from five games. Aberdeen Lynx climb into second after their emphatic win, while Edinburgh Capitals move up to third following their double over Kirkcaldy Kestrels. Dundee Rockets stay unbeaten with two wins from two.