Ice hockey: Ayr Jets beat Irvine Flyers

Nov 27 2009 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Jets came from behind to beat Irvine Flyers 8-4 in their third match of the year.

Flyers raced ahead when Phil Connor beat goalie Stephen McLauchlan at 4.06 but Jets rallied back with some crisp passing from John Kidd and Michael Hose to set up Gary Morris for the game tying goal.

The trio struck again four minutes later this time through Kidd. Jets capitalised with five minutes to go in the period, this time with Stevie Fawcett setting up Kevin Simpson for the finish.

Leading 3-1, Ayr came out gunning in the second period. At just 33 seconds in, Jets veteran Jim McLauchlan and GB internationalist Ian Devlin were able to capitalise.

The home side continued the onslaught four minutes later when rookie Sean McPhail and George Cathcart found Ryan Rodger for the fifth goal. Devlin seemed to be on fire as he launched a shot from the blue-line straight past the Irvine goalie for his second of the period and a 6-1 lead.

Ayr took eight minutes of penalties during the game and with Kidd in the box for a delay of game call, Irvine seized the opportunity to capitalise at 35.53 with Connor scoring again.

However, big John rectified his error by stepping back on the ice on his next shift for an unassisted effort with only ten seconds left in the second period, leaving the score at 7-2 before the interval.

There were fresh goalies in the final period, not so many goals and a few more penalties including Simpson for hooking and Gary Collins for an interference decision.

In between those two infractions,Flyers narrowed the lead with a goal from A. Logan and then another from M. Alexander at 56.56 bringing the score to 7-4.

Jets weren't quite done though in the final minute when Rodger and Simpson were able to send it to G. Cathcart who hit the mark to put the final nail in the Flyers' coffin.

Man of the match: Stephen McLauchlan.