Blackburn Hawks 4 Paisley Pirates 4
8/3/2003 at Blackburn Arena
Challenge Match
Pirates rolled back the years with their first visit to Blackburn in five years, when both sides skated in the British League.
Pirates travelled south missing several regular players and this combined with bus legs contributed to Hawks dominating the opening exchange. It was, however, good fortune that kept the game scoreless in the 6th minute, Gordon Whyte firing off the back of the net but none of the officials saw it and play was waved on. Both sides traded powerplays before Pirates had more good fortune in the 15th minute. This time it was Andrew Sheffield who found the net but again referee Blaine Evans waved play on. Almost inevitably given Pirates let offs, they took the lead in the 17th minute when Mark Andrew found James Clark alone in front of goal and he netted the only goal of the period.
Both sides again traded powerplay opportunities at the start of the second period but it was Hawks who were the more successful, Craig Sharman setting up Adam Leaver for the equaliser in the 26th minute. More powerplays followed and this time it was Pirates turn to convert. Derek Dunlop finding Mark Steele and he fired Pirates back in front in the 33rd minute. They didn’t hold onto the lead for long and Chris Black tied things up again in the 37th minute.
Pirates were back on the powerplay at the start of the final period but couldn’t convert. They continued to enjoy good fortune when Myles Watson appeared to fire off the bar in the 49th minute but Evans adjudged goal. Hawks deservedly levelled again in the 54th minute, former Pirate favourite Bobby Haig tipping home a Wez Barnett point drive. As has so often been the case this season, Pirates dug a hole for themselves in the 54th minute when they found themselves two men down, including Josie Williamson taking the only major penalty of the game, a 2+10 for checking from behind. It took Hawks only 15 seconds to take advantage, Barnett’s turn to tip home this time Jamie Thomson the provider. Pirates played off the remaining powerplay and tied things up again with only 90 seconds left on the clock, Steele firing his second home from the blue line. The two sides finished the game a man short but despite the extra space, neither could find a winner.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Paisley: Watson Blackburn: Leaver
SCORING:
Paisley: Steele 2+0, Watson 1+2, Clark 1+1, Andrews, Dunlop, Morris 0+1
Blackburn: Haig 1+2, Barnett 1+1, Black, Leaver 1+0, Sharman, Thomson, Whyte 0+1
NETMINDING:
Paisley: Orr (30.20) 18 shots/1 goal, Russell (29.40)16 shots/3 goals
Blackburn: Downie 34 shots/4 goals
PENALTIES:
Paisley: Williamson 12 minutes, Andrews 4, Mack, Morris, Taylor, Watson 2
Blackburn: Black 4, Haig, Slater, Thomson 2