Match Impressions - Edinburgh Capitals SNL vs Paisley Pirates, SNL Play-Off Semi-Final

At Fife Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy to see the first of the Scottish League Play-Off semi-finals.  Capitals SNL have lost out on their chance to win the league title this year, but taking the Play-Offs would be some compensation.

After a scrappy start Caps picked up their first goal before the three minute mark.  A James Wallace slapshot from the blue line was picked up by Ross Hay and brother Neil provided the finishing touch.  A few minutes later Wallace scored the second. Paisley got one back after thirteen minutes, on the power play, a goal mouth scramble in which Mallinson made several saves, but was finally beaten.  There were no further goals in the period, but several flashpoints had to be calmed down by the officials and the penalty boxes saw busy traffic.

Both teams seemed tense at the start of the second, end to end stuff with no real rhythm going.  Almost half the period had gone when a drive from Caps' captain, Chris Blackburn, was tipped in by Mark Paterson.  But, as often happens, momentum changed swiftly and within a few minutes Pirates had the lead back to one again.  Caps then began to dominate, but only in the final two minutes did their pressure tell and the Hay family made hay.  First it was Neil scoring from Ross, in a beautifully worked move, then Ross netted a pass from Neil shortly before the klaxon.  There had been fewer clashes between players this period, but sadly the Paisley netminder had to go off injured shortly before the end, and he wouldn't return to the ice.

In the third Caps seemed to be cruising a bit, no doubt conscious of the need to conserve themselves for the final tomorrow, so this period was mostly about Pirates.  They scored one early on, but Caps held them off for the rest of the period.  There were some tense moments when Neil Hay served two minutes in the box with only four left on the clock, but the kill was effective and there were few scares in the run up to the end of the match.  Five three was the score and Edinburgh are through.

A strong performance from Caps, with Neil Hay in outstanding form, showing great speed, passing and vision.  We're back tomorrow to see them lift the trophy....