Picture by Mark Brown
A busy Valentine’s weekend in the Scottish National League delivered goals, double-headers and significant movement in the standings as the regular season moves into its closing stretch.
Saturday Results
Kilmarnock Thunder 3 – 6 Solway Sharks
Kilmarnock Thunder made a strong start on home ice, taking control in the opening period. Keir McPherson opened the scoring five minutes after puck drop before Mark Harris doubled the lead to put Thunder 2–0 ahead.
Solway responded in the second period with four goals to turn the game around. Strikes from Owen Rae, Gordon Horne, Tomas Výrostek and Andrew Creighton saw the Sharks swing momentum and move 4–2 in front heading into the final frame.
The third period was more evenly contested. Solway extended their advantage, but Thunder continued to push and were rewarded in the final four seconds as Ruby Newlands found the net. The late strike proved consolation only, with the Sharks taking the points.
North Ayrshire Wild 0 – 9 Edinburgh Capitals
Saturday marked the first of a double-header for Edinburgh Capitals as they travelled to face North Ayrshire Wild.
Capitals captain Joe Lynch opened the scoring seven minutes into the contest with a short-handed effort. From there, Edinburgh built momentum and added to their tally in each period, finishing with nine goals on the night.
The game featured a number of minor penalties on both sides, creating several power-play and short-handed situations. The Capitals struck once with the extra skater, while Wild were unable to contain Edinburgh’s attacking play as the visitors dictated the pace for long stretches.
Aberdeen Lynx 3 – 7 Paisley Pirates
Paisley Pirates claimed a 7–3 victory in Aberdeen in an entertaining contest at the Linx Ice Arena.
The hosts made a dream start, with 17-year-old Jaydn Baxter scoring unassisted just nine seconds into the game. Pirates responded midway through the opening period as Marty Simpson levelled while Aberdeen were short-handed.
The second period produced a flurry of goals. Craig Peacock edged the Pirates ahead before Jack Hutton equalised for the Lynx. Chris Turley restored the visitors’ lead, only for Josh Purvis to respond moments later. Oliver King struck again to give Paisley the advantage heading into the third.
Discipline proved influential as the game progressed, with Pirates capitalising on power-play opportunities. Ryan Campbell extended the lead early in the final period, while further goals from King and Simpson secured the two points.
Sunday Results
Edinburgh Capitals 9 – 3 Kilmarnock Thunder
Edinburgh Capitals completed their double-header with another two points against Kilmarnock Thunder.
Travelling with a 12+2 line-up, Thunder faced a significant challenge against the league leaders. The Capitals were consistent throughout, scoring three goals in each period.
Thunder’s goals came from their Under-19 contingent. Fifteen-year-old Mylo Wylie struck on the power play two minutes into the second period, Ethan Rankin added a short-handed effort later in the middle frame, and William Greenlees found the net in the third.
Joe Lynch recorded a hat-trick and continues to lead the league scoring charts. The Capitals also skated out in special Valentine’s jerseys for the occasion.
Solway Sharks 0 – 2 Whitley Warriors
Solway Sharks and Whitley Warriors played out a tightly contested encounter, with both sides keeping penalties to a minimum and ensuring long spells at even strength.
The first two periods remained scoreless, with defensive structure and goaltending at both ends limiting clear chances.
The breakthrough arrived with six minutes remaining when Phillip Edgar gave the Warriors the lead. Solway pulled netminder Harry Campbell in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but Cameron Ware sealed the win with an empty-net goal to secure a 2–0 result.
Kirkcaldy Kestrels 5 – 0 Aberdeen Lynx
It was a competitive game in Kirkcaldy, with both sides working hard throughout despite the 5–0 scoreline.
The hosts struck twice in the opening period, James Spence opening the scoring before Ross Henderson added a second on the power play to give the Kestrels a 2–0 lead at the first intermission.
Aberdeen continued to apply pressure and created opportunities of their own, matching Kirkcaldy’s intensity across the ice. Joe Somerville extended the lead early in the second period, while the final frame saw sixteen-year-old Cole Giannandrea add another before Somerville completed the scoring with less than a minute remaining.
Former Elite League netminder Andy Little produced important saves at key moments, but Aberdeen remained competitive throughout, with the difference coming in how efficiently chances were converted.
League Table Update
With only a handful of fixtures remaining, every result is influencing the final standings.
Whitley Warriors’ weekend success sees them move back up to second place, overtaking the Rockets. Solway’s Saturday victory lifts them into seventh position ahead of North Ayrshire Wild.
As the regular season enters its closing stages, the race for final league positions continues to intensify across the Scottish National League.
