Pirates are set for title challenge
Club faces tough encounters in final games
Paisley Pirates remain in contention at the top of the SNL, with three clubs still in with a chance of claiming the league trophy.
Ian Turley’s side were back to their best as they returned to the ice following a weekend off due to the Beast from the East snow storms.
The Buddies romped to a 7- 3 victory at the expense of Kilmarnock Storm, finally hitting top gear in the second and third periods, having shared a 1- 1 stalemate at the first interval.
The destination of the title remains in the Pirates’ hands, as they prepare to come up against their main two challenges in the final couple of games of the regular season.
Victories over both Kirkcaldy Kestrels and Dundee Comets would all but ensure that the trophy returns to Braehead Arena.
However, the pressure is on at the top, with both Kestrels and the Comets also securing maximum Pictures points over the course of the weekend.
A thrilling finish is in store after leaders, the Dundee Comets recorded a 9-2 home victory over Moray Typhoons.
John Dolan, Michal Beca, Adam McNicoll, John Gordon and Cameron McGiffin were all on target to keep the Comets one point ahead of Kirkcaldy with just the one game for them still to play.
But Kestrels also kept the heat up as Robin Floyd (3), Jamie Wilson (2), Robbie Hill, Sean Cochrane and Willie Nicolson found the net in their 8- 0 home success over North Ayrshire Wild. Kirkcaldy’s final game of the regular season is away to third-placed Pirates.
Elsewhere, Edinburgh Capitals boosted their hopes of finishing fourth with a 3-2 home victory over Solway Stingrays.
Weekend results: Dundee Comets 9 Moray Typhoons 2, Edinburgh Capitals 3 Solway Stringrays 2, Kilmarnock Storm 3 Paisley Pirates 7, Kirkcaldy Kestrels 8 North Ayrshire Wild 0.