Kestrels clip the Pirates’ wings
It’s panto on ice time for Buddies
Craig Ritchie as Robin Floyd beat Meechan to put the Kestrels in front.
Pirates retaliated within two minutes as Tom Johnston linked with Euan McGlaughlin and Calum Blair to even the score at 1-1 by the second interval, with the points still up for grabs, and capable of remaining in Fife or heading west with Pirates.
In the final session, Kestrels once more took the lead after 45 minutes through Scott Jamieson.
And, while Connor Spiers tied the scores up again within a minute, the Kestrels hitman was on hand at the halfway point in the session to put his side ahead for the third time in the match.
In spite of Pirates’ best efforts, they were unable to find a way past Little, but with the clock running down a scuffle broke out on ice.
In keeping with the time of year, the pantomime that followed resulted in no fewer than six players being thrown out of the game, four for the Kestrels and two visitors, the penalties for the whole match reaching an unimpressive, not to say unrepresentative, 176 minutes.
Pirates left the arena frustrated at losing a match where they once again put in a sterling performance, this time with nothing to show for it.
They are next in action at Braehead Arena on Saturday, January 6, when they will be first-footed by Aberdeen Lynx.
Face off is at the earlier time of 5pm.