Blackburn Hawks 3 Paisley Pirates 2
14/9/2003 at Blackburn Arena
Challenge Match

Pirates took advantage of a gap in the Autumn Cup fixtures to make a rare foray into England and with it gave new coach Paul Heavey a further opportunity to view his troops in action without cup points at stake.

It may have been "only" a challenge match but Pirates were left raging at a late controversial penalty shot decision from referee Blaine Evans that gifted the match to the Hawks.

Hawks made the better of the early running and should have taken the lead inside 90 seconds but Michael Brunton found himself alone in front but he misfired wide. Both sides then traded powerplay opportunities but without success. Pirates first real chance didn't come until the 8th minute when Gary Morris skated untouched through the Hawks defence but Colin Downie produced a point blank range save to keep him out. The only goal of theopening session followed in the 12th minute with Pirates again shorthanded, the defensive box breaking down with the result that David Sheffield found himself alone in front and he didn't waste the chance. Both sides continued to trade chances but it was Pirates who were unlucky not to level things up 5 seconds from the end of the period when Stuart McCaig found only the goal post from in front.

It was Pirates turn to make the early running in the second period and with came the first moment of controversy of the evening in the 24th minute, John Churchill clear through on goal before he was hauled down from behind by Wayne Slater, a two minute stay in the penalty box the only punishment.

Penalties continued to follow at regular intervals with the sides rarely skating 5v5, so it was no surprise that Pirates equaliser came on the powerplay. John Churchill sending debutant Richard Thorpe clear on goal in the 36th minute and he just managed to squeeze the puck through Downie. Referee Evans continued to leave the visitors amazed at his calls when he
saw a two handed slash to George Murray's head by Eddie Cooper in the 38th minute as worthy of only a 4 minute penalty when the Hawk should have been gaining first use of the showers.

Pirates survived an early third period powerplay before they scored what looked like, in such a tight contest, would be the winning goal with the only even strength strike of the night in the 49th minute, Roger Monson sending George Murray clean through on goal and the youngster, who had spent last year in the Czech Republic and is currently impressing Elite League

Belfast Giants, made no mistake. Pirates continued to take penalties and eventually it cost them again in the 55th minute, player coach Bobby Haig firing home from the slot with Pirates netminder left helpless by the ruck of players in front of him. Pirates called their time out at this point but it was Hawks who, initially, continued to look the more likely to score.

With more penalties being called the sides were skating 4v4 in the closing minutes and both sides had their chances to win it. McCaig found the post for the second time on the evening before that penalty shot decision, Haig pulled down by Monson, with 34 seconds left in the game, but well wide of the net goal in no way could it be considered a goal scoring opportunity, a fact which Haig himself conceded after the match, but Evans thought otherwise and he stepped up to slide the puck past Orr for the winning goal.

Despite the result, this was a worthwhile workout for Pirates with the only other down point being the loss of Stewart McLaughlin who, after an unfortunate collision with the boards, will be out for some time with a separated shoulder.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paisley: George Murray Blackburn: Peter Tapp
SCORING:
Paisley: Murray, Thorpe 1+0, Churchill, McCaig, Monson 0+1
Blackburn: Haig 2+0, Sheffield 1+0, Barnett, Brunton, Tapp 0+1
NETMINDING:
Paisley: Orr 42 shots/3 goals Blackburn: Downie 28 shots/2 goals
PENALTIES:
Paisley: Conaboy 6, Miller, Murray 4, Campbell, Mills, Monson, Morris,
Watson all 2 minutes
Blackburn: Tapp 4, team bench, Cooper, Hulme, Slater, Southall all 2