The 2nd leg of the Playoff 1/4 finals took place on Saturday, and it was a thrilling weekend with the last opportunity for the teams to advance to the next round and keep their Playoff hopes alive.
Kilmarnock Thunder managed to secure their spot in the Playoff semi-finals, despite losing 4-3 to Edinburgh Capitals. Thunder advanced on points, after a closely fought game.
Capitals came out strong, with Ross Beowick scoring a goal just a minute and a half into the game, followed by Joel Gautschi adding another goal for the Caps. However, Kilmarnock Thunder fought back and managed to score two goals by the end of the first period, bringing the scoreline to an even 2-2.
In the second period, the Capitals scored twice more, but Innes Gallacher of Thunder netted his second goal of the evening, making it 4-3 in favour of Capitals.
The last period was intense, with both teams struggling to create scoring opportunities. The game ended with a 4-3 win for Capitals.
Dundee Comets also secured their place in the semi-finals with a 3-2 win against Kirkcaldy Kestrels.
John Dolan opened the scoring for the Comets less than six minutes after puck drop. In the second period, Kyle Horn scored for the Kestrels, but the Comets quickly responded with another goal.
The game came down to the wire, with Comets scoring the winning goal less than 90 seconds from the end.
It was a bittersweet weekend for the Pirates, as they won on Saturday, securing their place in the Playoff semi-finals, but suffered a loss on Sunday against Aberdeen, which knocked them out of the Scottish Cup.
The playoff game against the Dundee Tigers was a nail-biter, with the Pirates dominating throughout the first two periods and leading 4-1 going into the last period. But the Tigers fought back and equalised forcing it into overtime and then to penalty shots. Pirates’ Gary Simpson scored the winning goal when it went to the penalty shootout.
Aberdeen Lynx had a very successful weekend, with an 11-1 win against North Ayrshire Wild on Saturday, securing their place in the Playoffs next weekend.
On Sunday, they faced off against Paisley Pirates at Murrayfield and bagged a 4-3 win, securing their place in the Scottish Cup. After winning the league this season, Aberdeen now has a chance at more silverware and potentially the treble.
Aberdeen Lynx will be facing Kilmarnock Thunder and Paisley Pirates will take on Dundee Comets in the Playoff semi-finals at Murrayfield on Saturday. The winners will then play in the final on Sunday.
The following Saturday (15th April) is the season finale in Aberdeen where all age groups will be playing in the Scottish Cup finals. Aberdeen Lynx (seniors) will be facing off against Dundee Comets.
What a competitive season it has been and these last two weekends of hockey are not to be missed as there is sure to be more tight scores.
