Paisley Pirates’ SNL title hopes suffered a blow as they crashed 5-4 at Moray Typhoons.
Ian Turley’s side went into the game as the league’s form team and were heavily expected to claim the points, but Moray stunned them to breathe new life into their own play-off ambitions.
The visitors started the game well as Robert Henderson put them ahead after just 30 seconds, but Jack Durkacz levelled the game around the seven-minute mark.
Moray’s joy was short-lived as Scott Cowan restored Paisley’s lead within the next couple of minutes, only for Harry Ferguson to restore parity again on the powerplay.
James Aitkenhead put Moray in front in the second period, but the game remained on a knife edge until the final ten minutes.
David Orr equalised, but Kevin Russell edged the home team in front again before Mikey Ferguson effectively clinched the points with 50 seconds to go.
Chris Turley pulled one back for Paisley with 11 seconds left, but Moray safely saw out the remaining time to seal the win.
Mark Patterson’s hat-trick helped Edinburgh Capitals SNL roar back into the race as they recorded a 6-2 victory on home ice against North Ayrshire Wild.
The Caps had won only one in six going into this game and came up against a team who have surprised many with their run of form that saw them snapping at the heels of leaders Kirkcaldy Kestrels.
Two quick goals set the tone for the game when Craig Main opened the scoring early on, but was levelled a minute and a half later when Martin Cardno scored for Wild.
The Caps didn’t rest on their laurels and were 3-1 up by the first break as Patterson picked up his first followed by Sean Donaldson on the powerplay.
Although Alan Maitland pulled another back for North Ayrshire, Edinburgh reopened the two-goal advantage through Patterson with Joel Gautschi adding the Caps’ fifth.
Patterson put the game beyond doubt with his hat-trick goal to book end a fantastic result for the 2014 champions.
Dundee Tigers made it three wins from their last four games with a 3-1 success at home to Solway Sharks SNL.
Tigers went ahead just before the ten-minute mark as Paul Guilcher swooped in and blasted a venomous shout over Kyle Johnston’s shoulder.
It took them only five minutes in the middle session to double their lead as Pavel Pliskov met Kris Phillips’ pass, before taking the puck round Johnston and slotting home Dundee’s second.
Grant Reekie made it three before the second interval to seal the points, although Michael Brunton did pull one back for the visitors in the final period.
Aberdeen Lynx returned to winning form in emphatic style to defeat Kilmarnock Storm 12-1 and blitz their way into the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Mark Laing and Jordan Leyden topped the scoring with four apiece as Lynx made sure of a date with the Pirates in front of what will be another big crowd in the North East.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Aberdeen Lynx 12-1 Kilmarnock Storm (Cup)
Dundee Tigers 3-1 Solway Sharks SNL
Edinburgh Capitals SNL 6-2 North Ayrshire Wild
Moray Typhoons 5-4 Paisley Pirates
(Image permission: Al Goold Photo)
