Paisley Pirates 3 Edinburgh Capitals 5
6/9/2003 at Lagoon Leisure Centre
Autumn Cup

Pirates began their defence of the Autumn Cup with a narrow defeat against the side they had so dramatically beaten in last year's final.

Both sides had their chances in the opening period and despite Pirates having to play off three powerplays, they had the better of them. Notably amongst these was a goal line clearance by Neil Hay to keep out returning Pirate Chris Conaboy inside the last minute of the session. That was as close as we came to a goal in the opening period.

Capitals got themselves into early penalty trouble at the start of the second period giving Pirates back to back powerplays in the opening minutes. Instantly Pirates looked far more impressive with the man advantage than the visitors had but still without the ultimate success. Penalties continued to dominate and with it came the opening goal in the 31st minute, Pirates
caught up the ice when shorthanded with Neil Hay breaking clear, netminder Damien Orr saved his effort but was powerless to stop brother Ross Hay's rebound. Both sides continued to trade chances but it was Edinburgh who doubled their lead three minutes before the second break. Pirates paying the ultimate price for failing to clear their zone and Neil Hay fired home from
the point through a ruck of players.

Into the final session and Capitals wasted little time making it 3-0. Again Pirates were shorthanded when Stevie Francey forced home from close range in the 42nd minute. Pirates were then facing a heavy opening night defeat when only 47 seconds later Capitals again caught their hosts on the break with Ross Hay getting his second of the evening. Pirates were quickly back on the powerplay and stand in Coach Gary Smith used the opportunity to use Pirates time out. Whatever he said had the desired effect with Conaboy finally getting the home side on the scoreboard with the extra man in the 45th minute. Both sides continued to create chances and we looked to be in for a grandstand finish when Conaboy was quickest to react to a rebound chance in the 52nd minute, to pull Pirates back to within two goals. Unfortunately, as quick as they'd got back in the game, Capitals took it away again when Daniel McIntyre netted the killer blow a mere 19 seconds later. In a late explosion of goals Conaboy netted his and Pirates third 48 seconds later but despite late chances including another powerplay that was as close as Pirates got.

At their best these were, arguably, the best two sides in the league last season and on the evidence of this opening meeting of the season, this likely to be the case again. The deciding factor on the night looked to be Capitals match fitness, this being Pirates first outing of the season, the return match in Edinburgh on October 5th will undoubtedly one worth watching with both sides having a few more matches under their belts by then.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paisley: Chris Conaboy Edinburgh: Alistair
Flockhart
SCORING:
Paisley: Conaboy 3+0, Churchill, Watson 0+2, Miller, Nelson 0+1
Edinburgh: R. Hay 2+2, N. Hay 1+2, Francey 1+1, McIntyre 1+0, Flockhart,
Good, McPherson 0+1
NETMINDING:
Paisley: Orr 26 shots/5 goals Edinburgh: Flockhart 34 shots/3 goals
PENALTIES:
Paisley: Nelson 4, Conaboy, Henderson, McLaughlin, Miller, Watson all 2
minutes
Edinburgh: N. Hay 6, Hughes 4