Picture by Mark A Brown
The Scottish National League (SNL) witnessed a rollercoaster of hockey action, with four thrilling games showcasing the escalating battle for the top spot.
Weekend Fixtures
Edinburgh Capitals vs. Kirkcaldy Kestrels:
The weekend kicked off with the Edinburgh Capitals facing off against the Kirkcaldy Kestrels. In a tightly contested match, both teams displayed their determination to secure crucial points. Chad Smith opened the scoring for the Capitals, swiftly answered by Conor Duncan for the Kestrels on the power play. The lead swung back and forth, with Arron Robertson leveling for the Capitals before Allan Anderson regained the advantage for the Kestrels. The Capitals fought back valiantly, ultimately clinching a 4-3 victory, securing their position at the top of the league table with 28 points.
Paisley Pirates vs. Kilmarnock Thunder:
The Paisley Pirates embarked on their first game of the weekend, facing off against the Kilmarnock Thunder in what unfolded as yet another tightly contested match. The Pirates swiftly asserted their presence, relentlessly peppering Thunder’s goaltender, Harry Campbell, with shots. However, Campbell stood tall in the crease, yielding only one goal to the persistent Paisley squad. In the second period, Thunder’s Ewan Gallacher capitalised, notching their first goal, but the Pirates quickly responded with Marcus Murdoch finding the back of the net, propelling them back into the lead. In the final period, both teams exhibited immense determination, yet it was a decisive short-handed goal from Martyn Simpson that clinched victory for the Pirates.
North Ayrshire Wild vs. Aberdeen Lynx:
The North Ayrshire Wild faced a daunting task as they traveled to battle the Aberdeen Lynx, currently holding the second spot in the league. However, the Lynx asserted their dominance early, swiftly establishing a lead with goals from Jordan Leyden and Mark Laing. Despite a resilient effort from the Wild, the Lynx emerged triumphant with a commanding performance, securing a comfortable win and valuable two points to stay hot on the heels of the Capitals.
Edinburgh Capitals vs. Paisley Pirates:
Sunday’s matchup between the Edinburgh Capitals and the Paisley Pirates promised excitement, and it delivered in spades. The Pirates, fuelled by Garry Simpson‘s hat-trick, showcased their offensive prowess to secure a hard-fought 6-4 victory over the Capitals. Despite a valiant effort, including goals from Joel Gautschi and Arron Robertson, the Capitals fell short as the Pirates claimed victory, capping off a successful weekend and closing the gap to just two points behind the Thunder.
With the race for the top spot heating up, each game becomes increasingly crucial as teams jockey for position in the SNL standings. As the season progresses, expect the intensity to reach new heights as the battle for supremacy in Scottish ice hockey continues to unfold.
