Solihull Blaze 8 Paisley Pirates 3
This was one of Pirates must win games this season and was doubly important after Blaze had snatched a victory in the last minute at the Lagoon a week earlier. However, an even first period gave no indication of the nightmare to follow as Pirates had 2 goals at crucial times.
AJ Kelham had opened the scoring at 4.52 with a powerful wrist shot which sizzled past Dave Trofimenkoff before a pinpoint Sean Kelso pass found Bobby Chalmers clear through the middle and he deftly dummied the keeper before slotting the equaliser.
Chalmers went for holding the stick at 21.20 and just over a minute later it was 2-1 when Steve Chartrand popped up at the back post to score followed 20 seconds later by a Jason Coles effort as Pirates again failed to pick up the man at the far post.
Another penalty to Pirates arrived at 25.41 but it looked to have benefited the team when Chalmers went one on one with Steven Doyle. The keeper saved the first effort and threw his body to the ice to smother the rebound but Chalmers spotted the loose puck and fired home. However, the ref disallowed the goal as the puck had been covered which seemed a bit strange as it was plainly in sight the entire time. Blaze took the chance to capitalise and made it 4-1 on the same penalty seconds later when Mike Shewan fired home from the slot.
Pirates hauled themselves to within two when a Mike Galati cross ice pass found Matt Beveridge stealing in and he made no mistake but Pirates yet again gave up a quick goal 22 seconds later when Blake Sorensen restored a three goal cushion. Pirates then managed to survive 4 minutes short handed before being given a 4 minute powerplay of their own and they made it count when Beveridge and Chris Jamieson combined to set up Galati in front and he made it 3-5 at 52.27. It looked to be 4-5 35 seconds later as Pirates again had the puck in the net but the goal was chopped off as Jamieson was in the crease. This was a bit harsh as he only got there via a cross check from Coles but the ref decided no goal and Blaze stayed 2 goals away. Two more flew past Trofimenkoff, from Chartrand and Gareth Owen before he was replaced with 2.12 left after he got involved with Rob Eley who cross checked him in the throat. The popular goalie being removed for his own protection. Damien Orr replaced him but was helpless to stop Coles firing the eighth with 1.01 left on the clock.