Dundee Tigers 0 Paisley Pirates 9
22/2/2003 at Dundee Ice Arena
Spring Cup Semi Final First Leg

After making heavy weather of last Sunday’s league visit to Dundee, Paisley largely cut out the penalties and skated to an easy victory.

Pirates dominated from the start but it took until the 12th minute for them to breach the Tigers rearguard. Myles Watson on hand to fire home after Tigers failed to clear an earlier chance. Such was Paisley’s dominance that it took until the 13th minute for Dundee to threaten the visitors’ net, Damien Orr stopping a Renton breakaway chance. The two teams then traded powerplay opportunities but it was Pirates who were the more successful, James Clark sending a low drive home from the right circle in the 17th minute. They continued to press but it wasn’t until inside the final minute of the period that they made it 3-0, Stuart Miller sending an unstoppable drive home from the point.

Pirates almost gave Tigers a lifeline at the start of the second period, Paul Guilcher pouncing on a loose clearance but he couldn’t finish. The travelling support didn’t have too long to wait for the next goal, only until the 23rd minute. John Churchill single-handedly beating the home defence before sending a back hand shot over keeper Robb’s shoulder from close range. Pirates were back on the powerplay in the 26th minute when a desperate slash by Stewart was all that stopped Colin McMillan extending the lead. Pirates were camped in the Tigers zone on the powerplay but couldn’t add to the score although Colin Nelson did strike a post. Pirates then found themselves shorthanded in the 30th minute but this didn’t trouble them, Stuart Swiatek’s turn to knife through the home defence for a shorthanded goal. Pirates continued to take penalties but Tigers couldn’t capitalise despite having a two man advantage for 30 seconds. Pirates again completed the period scoring inside the final minute, a sweeping one touch passing move being finished off by Blair McBride.

It didn’t take Paisley long to add to the score in the third period, Churchill firing off the post, Tigers couldn’t clear and Clark was on hand to force home in the 42nd minute. With the two sides meeting twice in such a short time, tempers were liable to flare and so it was no surprise that a fight ensued in the 47th minute, Heslop and Monson going toe to toe with the Pirate judged the major aggressor as he received an extra two minute penalty. The resulting powerplay came to nothing but back at even strength, Pirates extended the lead in the 50th minute. Net minder Robb unsighted as Mick Drummond fired home from the point. Tigers changed their goalie in the 52nd minute, Grieves replacing Robb. It wasn’t long, however, before he was beaten, Pirates completing the scoring on the powerplay in the 54th minute, with Clark completing his hat trick. Thoughts then turned to retaining Orr’s shutout and with few problems this was duly achieved.

No date has yet been arranged for the second leg but the job is only half done as aggregate does not come into play. A third match being required should Dundee turn things round at Paisley.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paisley: John Churchill Dundee: Heslop
SCORING:
Paisley: Clark 3+1, Churchill 1+3, Watson 1+2, Miller, Swiatek 1+1, Drummond, McBride 1+0, Morris 0+2, McMillan, Monson, C. Nelson, 0+1
NETMINDING:
Paisley: Orr 24 shots/0 goals Dundee: Robb 37 shots/8 goals, Grieves 4 shots/1 goal
PENALTIES:
Paisley: Monson 6 minutes, Drummond 4, McMillan 16, McBride, C. Nelson, Orr, Watson 2
Dundee: Turnbull 10, Hannah 4, Heslop, Stewart 2