Pirates’ plunder
Hero netminder Daniel’s last-gasp save sets Paisley up for semi-final
Paisley Pirates plundered Dundee Comets to soar into the play-off semifinals.
But the Paisley ice stars had to rely on a first-leg win to get them over the line.
Pirates enjoyed a strong end to the regular season – sailing into the top four.
Their reward was a double header quarter-final play-off against Comets, who finished fifth, to decide who would make the last four.
A 4-2 triumph in Dundee left Pirates in pole position ahead of the second leg.
So, with that two-goal advantage heading into Saturday’s game at the Braehead Arena, Pirates had some treasure to protect and the semi-final in their sights.
With that in mind they played out a cautious opening period, protecting their lead while trying not to overcommit in attack.
Relief broke out in the Pirates’ ranks a few minutes into the second period when Chris Wilson slammed a snapshot from between the slot and crease past Dundee’s netminder Toni Tammi to give Pirates a threegoal advantage on aggregate.
Comets, however, responded quickly, Michael Ireland with the goal to reduce the deficit to two again.
The Dundee men gained confidence and had the better of the play in what remained of the second period without finding another goal. They did eventually manage to nab another one less than one minute into the final third throughRichard Hartmann, setting up a dramatic third period in which both sides fought to claim the goal that would change their fortunes – the Comets one that would force overtime, and the Pirates for what would surely be a clincher.
With just 18 seconds to go on the match clock Pirates netminder and man-of-thematch Daniel McGowan made a huge pad save and with that Pirates were through to the final four, losing 2-1 on the night, but overcoming their opponents 5-4 on aggregate.
Speaking to club media, McGowan said: “They came out hard, they battled for the full 60 minutes, but we came out even harder.
“We defended very well and battled throughout the entire match, we’re very happy with the performance.”
And coach Ian Turley said: “I’m delighted. We made it hard for ourselves at times, but let’s not kid ourselves, the Comets are a good side, they’re the reigning play-off champions. You can never write them off.”
He admitted his surprise at the team’s turnaround in recent months, with Pirates climbing multiple places in the league ahead of the play-offs.
“If we spoke six weeks ago, we’d be questioning whether we were even going to be making it [to the play-offs].
“The way the team has turned it around is testament to all the guys in the dressing room because it’s not been an easy season for the guys, we’ve had to fight every inch for everything we’ve got and tonight proved that. Nobody’s going to lie down, you still have to fight. And we got the job done.”
The Pirates head into the play-off finals weekend up against Edinburgh Capitals at Murrayfield on Saturday at 4.30pm.
If they win that they’re through to the final on Sunday against either Aberdeen Lynx or the Kirkcaldy Kestrels who contest the other semi-final on Saturday.
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