It may be Valentine’s weekend, but there will be no love lost on the ice as the Scottish National League enters the business end of the season.
Six league games are scheduled across Saturday and Sunday, with four teams facing double-headers and league positions very much in play. With games in hand, tight margins between sides, and playoff match-ups determined by final standings, every point carries added weight.
Saturday
🏒 Kilmarnock Thunder v Solway Sharks SNL
The weekend gets underway at the Galleon Centre as Thunder host the Sharks in their third meeting of the campaign. Solway have taken the spoils in the previous two encounters, but neither victory came by a significant margin.
Both sides face tough fixtures again on Sunday, so managing energy and bench depth could prove crucial. Depending on how North Ayrshire Wild fare across their double-header, the Sharks have an opportunity to make ground in the standings.
🏒 North Ayrshire Wild v Edinburgh Capitals
This marks the final league meeting of the season between these two sides. Capitals have won all three previous match-ups, but when they last visited Auchenharvie the scoreline was notably tighter.
Wild’s young squad pushed the league leaders for the full 60 minutes that night, underlining the progress made as the season has developed. They have shown they can sustain momentum against top opposition, and another competitive contest is expected.
🏒 Aberdeen Lynx v Paisley Pirates
Pirates currently sit higher in the table than the Lynx, but there has been very little between the sides on the ice this season. Aberdeen have two wins to Pirates’ one, with all three meetings decided by a single goal.
Paisley have just four league fixtures remaining after this weekend, so every point is magnified as they look to cement their playoff position. The Lynx, meanwhile, come into the game off the back of a league win and a 4–4 draw in the first leg of their Scottish Cup semi-final, so confidence will be high.
Aberdeen hold three games in hand but remain nine points behind. If they are to close that gap and apply pressure in the standings, this is the type of fixture they must target. With two passionate fan bases and plenty at stake, expect a physical, high-tempo contest.
Sunday
🏒 Solway Sharks SNL v Whitley Warriors
These two sides sit at opposite ends of the table, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Sunday’s clash in Dumfries. Whitley have been pushing at the top end of the standings, while Solway are battling to climb as the season enters its decisive phase.
Their first meeting at the Ice Bowl finished 2–1 to the Sharks, with all the scoring coming in the final period, showing that even where league positions differ, the margins can be tight. Solway will look to use home ice to disrupt one of the league’s leading sides.
With the Sharks also in action on Saturday night, squad depth and energy management could prove influential against a Whitley side used to dictating the pace.
🏒 Edinburgh Capitals v Kilmarnock Thunder
The second meeting of the weekend for both sides sees Thunder travel to the capital. Edinburgh have recorded emphatic victories in their previous encounters this season and remain one of the league’s most consistent outfits.
For Kilmarnock, discipline and composure will be essential. Thunder have shown resilience and steady growth throughout the campaign, and with points still crucial at both ends of the table, both sides will be fully committed across the full 60 minutes.
🏒 Kirkcaldy Kestrels v Aberdeen Lynx
Aberdeen head to Fife for their second game of the weekend in what promises to be a fiercely competitive fixture. After hosting Paisley on Saturday, the Lynx face a quick turnaround as they look to build momentum across back-to-back games.
This is the final league meeting of the season between the two sides. The Kestrels have claimed two victories to Aberdeen’s one, with tight margins in each contest. With Kirkcaldy sitting just one place above the Lynx, there is genuine potential for movement in the standings.
As the schedule tightens and the playoff picture sharpens, this weekend could prove pivotal. With double-headers, short turnarounds and league positions on the line, expect intensity from the first puck drop to the final whistle.
WEEK 23 FIXTURES
| Date | Game | Time/Results | League | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilmarnock Thunder vs Solway Sharks | 3 - 6 | SNL | Galleon Leisure Centre | |
| North Ayrshire Wild vs Edinburgh Capitals | 0 - 9 | SNL | Auchenharvie Leisure Centre | |
| Aberdeen Lynx vs Paisley Pirates | 3 - 7 | SNL | Aberdeen Linx Ice Arena | |
| Solway Sharks vs Whitley Warriors | 0 - 2 | SNL | Dumfries Ice Bowl | |
| Edinburgh Capitals vs Kilmarnock Thunder | 9 - 3 | SNL | Murrayfield Ice Arena | |
| Kirkcaldy Kestrels vs Aberdeen Lynx | 5 - 0 | SNL | Fife Ice Arena |
