Comets quick out blocks

DUNDEE Comets continued their impressive march up the SNL table with a 5-3 win over fierce rivals Dundee Tigers to go into third place.

Comets were three goals ahead after only nine minutes thanks to a furiously-paced start that left the ‘visitors’ reeling and effectively ended any chance Tigers had of taking anything from this game.

Allan Hamilton latched on to a John Dolan pass that left goalie McGill with no chance in 66 seconds. Dolan made it 2-0 28 seconds later and Billy Hogg slipped the puck between the goalie’s legs to make it 3-0.

Tigers roared back on the 17-minute mark after a power-play goal from Andrew Henderson.

Paul Guilcher gave Tigers some hope with a goal four mintues before the end of the second period to trail 3-2.

However, Dolan got on the scoresheet again to put Comets to restore the two-goal cushion.

With just 19 seconds played in the final period, Comets’ Greger was penalised for interference and Grant Reekie pounced to close the gap to 4-3.

It was now end-to-end stuff as Tigers had their tails up and pushed for the equaliser but Hamilton sealed the game with his second goal for the Comets at 54 minutes.

Man of the match was awarded to John Dolan for Comets and Grant Reekie for Tigers.

Comets coach Rab Brown said: “We knew this wouldn’t be easy but we knew we had the firepower to win.

“Even we were surprised at the start our guys gave to this game but we need to play three periods in that fashion.

“This and discipline are things we will be working on at training this week.”

Tigers defenceman Ian Carstairs said: “This was another performance that deserved more than the result told.

“We essentially gave the Comets a two-goal head start by losing two goals in the second shift and were playing catch up the rest of the game.

“We outshot them but they were clinical in their finishing.”