Racers defeat is setback to Comets

DUNDEE Comets ice hockey team may have blown their chance to almost guarantee the Scottish National League (SNL) trophy would be staying in Tayside.

A win would have boosted the Comets hopes of retaining their SNL league champs status but an 8-4 loss to challengers Murrayfield Racers has seriously dented the Dundee side’s ambitions.

Murrayfield were 3-1 up after the first period and they quickly stormed into a 7-1 lead before the end of the middle stanza.

Comets mounted a comeback in the third period but it was too little too late for the home side.

The Tayside outfit pulled three goals back but conceded again and lost 8-4.

Comets general manager Rab Brown said: “Firstly, I just wanted to say a huge thanks to the fans who came down to support us.

“It was a really big crowd and we are grateful to everyone for coming to support the boys.

“We lost the game because of stupid penalties and once they got in front, they never took their foot off the gas.

“The goals we gave up on the powerplay ultimately cost us and that allowed them to run away with it.

“We did win the third period 3-1 but it was to no avail.

“The team just need to pick themselves up and focus on winning.

“We play Kirkcaldy next and that is going to be a hard game.

“The team are still going to finish in the top half of the league and we are still in the Scottish Cup.”