SNL Weekend Roundup: Dramatic Comebacks and Dominant Wins

This weekend saw three intense Scottish National League (SNL) matchups as teams battled for crucial points in the standings. Fans in North Ayrshire had plenty to celebrate, while Edinburgh Capitals and Aberdeen Lynx secured convincing victories.


North Ayrshire Wild Stun Kirkcaldy Kestrels in Overtime Thriller

North Ayrshire Wild, currently sitting in sixth place, pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat fourth-place Kirkcaldy Kestrels on home ice. Despite a tough season so far, Wild showed resilience and proved they can challenge higher-ranked teams.

The Kestrels took early control, with Caiden Forbes scoring first, followed by a goal from George Pitcaithly. Forbes struck again, giving Kirkcaldy a commanding 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes. However, Wild responded through Tom Morgenthaler, cutting the deficit to 3-1 by the end of the first period.

The second period saw no goals, with Wild’s goaltender Caiden MacColl making key saves to keep his team in the game.

Kestrels extended their lead to 4-1 early in the third with a goal from Allan Anderson, but penalties proved costly. Wild’s Lewis McCrindle capitalised on a power play to make it 4-2. With less than 10 minutes remaining, Dylan Murray took control, scoring twice in quick succession to level the game at 4-4.

Overtime saw Kestrels again in penalty trouble, and Wild made them pay. Jack Neil seized the opportunity, netting the game-winner and sealing a 5-4 victory. While both teams remain in their respective league positions, Wild’s confidence will be soaring after this dramatic win.


Edinburgh Capitals Cruise to Victory Over Kilmarnock Thunder

Edinburgh Capitals continued their strong form with a dominant 10-3 win over bottom-placed Kilmarnock Thunder.

The Caps took control early, with Cameron Wilkie opening the scoring at 1:10, followed by two more quick goals within the first 10 minutes. Thunder responded through Ronan McCready, who netted his second goal of the season to make it 3-1 heading into the first intermission.

Kilmarnock momentarily narrowed the gap in the second period when Liam Anderson scored, but Joe Lynch restored Edinburgh’s cushion less than a minute later. A flurry of goals from the Capitals saw them finish the second period with a commanding 7-3 lead.

The third period saw Edinburgh strike quickly, scoring within a minute. Two power-play goals midway through the period sealed the win, with Joe Lynch scoring his fourth of the night to solidify his position as the league’s top goal scorer.

With this convincing win, the Capitals remain in second place, firmly chasing the Rockets at the top of the standings.


Aberdeen Lynx Dominate Paisley Pirates at Home

Aberdeen Lynx wasted no time asserting dominance at the Linx Ice Arena, defeating Paisley Pirates 9-4.

Lynx wasted no time seizing control, with Brant Saretsky opening the scoring just 16 seconds in. Jamie Whitelaw doubled the lead less than two minutes later, and when Gary Kelly fired home at the five-minute mark, the Pirates responded with a goaltending change, swapping Daniel McGowan for Callum Donaghy in an attempt to steady the ship. But Lynx remained dominant, and Saretsky struck again late in the period, making it 4-0 by the first intermission.

Saretsky completed his hat-trick early in the second, but Pirates responded through Chris Turley, who netted a power-play goal. Calum Blair added another for Paisley, but Lynx answered with three quick goals from Josef Babicka, Gary Kelly, and Saretsky again. A late goal from Pirates’ Magnus Wrottesley closed the period at 8-3.

The third period was quieter, with both teams struggling to score. Lynx’s Gary Kelly found the net shorthanded before Pirates’ Gary Parker scored a consolation goal. The match ended 9-4, keeping Aberdeen firmly in third place with 25 points.


As the SNL season heats up, every point matters. With surprise upsets and dominant performances, the battle for playoff positioning continues.

Scottish National League (SNL) – 24-25

PosTeamGPWLOTLGFGAPP%PK%PTSStrk
11816111103426.385.533W11
21914321065128.279.430W4
3191261835428.080.325W1
4181062804727.484.122OTL1
516691606026.874.213L2
6163130271109.866.16W1
7160160271379.665.80L16