Picture by Mark Brown
This weekend in Scottish Ice Hockey was marked by thrilling Scottish Cup semifinals, showcasing intense matchups and noteworthy performances.
The Edinburgh Capitals secured their spot in the Scottish Cup finals after a gripping double-header against the Kirkcaldy Kestrels. On Saturday, the Capitals clinched a 3-2 victory in a closely contested game. Aaron Robertson opened the scoring in the second period, and despite the Kestrels’ efforts to equalise, Archie Holmes netted the winning goal for the Capitals just a minute after the Kestrels drew level.
The excitement continued on Sunday at Fife Arena, where the Kestrels aimed to turn the tables. Archie Holmes, once again, capitalised on a power play for the Capitals, but Scott Jamieson swiftly equalised for the Kestrels. The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 going into the final period. In the dying minutes, Sean Cochrane secured the Capitals‘ place in the Scottish Cup Final with a crucial goal, making it a memorable weekend for Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, another Scottish Cup semifinal unfolded in Aberdeen, with the Aberdeen Lynx facing off against the Dundee Comets at the Linx Ice Arena. The Lynx took an early lead with a goal from Iain Malcolm, but the Comets responded with Cameron McGiffin’s power-play goal. The teams traded goals, keeping the score close. In a nail-biting finish, Ben Edmonds scored the winning goal for the Lynx, securing a 5-4 victory.
In the SNL, Kilmarnock Thunder clashed with the Dundee Tigers in a double-point game at the Dundee Ice Arena. The Thunder, riding a winning streak, faced tough competition from the home side. Goals from Michel Beca and Innes Gallacher set the stage for a closely contested battle. Ultimately, Jack Henderson’s winning goal for the Tigers earned them double points in a hard-fought victory.
The weekend’s action highlighted the competitiveness of Ice Hockey in Scotland, with each team showcasing their capabilities and making the league an unpredictable and thrilling competition. As the season progresses, the race for victory remains wide open, promising more excitement for Scottish Ice Hockey fans.
