Ice hockey: Ayr Lions lose to Paisley Blackhawks

Dec 17 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Lions were edged out 6-5 at home by Paisley Blackhawks in the last game before the Christmas break.

Hawks raced ahead in 22 seconds through Justin King but Lions hit back at 5.25 through Craig Coughtrie. Blackhawks then scored twice through Brian Murdoch at 8.18 and Horace London at 11.48. Lions’ Ross Beveridge made it 2-3 at 15.59 to complete the scoring for the first period.

John Coughtrie levelled at 32.37. Things were to hot up for the fans a minute later as Lions’ Paul Boyd and Blackhawks’ Andy Heggie went toe-to-toe. As a result of the fight, both were thrown out of the game. Blackhawks’ Horace London was also ejected for abusive comments to referee Robin Elliot.

Lions scored twice within two minutes through Gordon Hay and Ross Andreucci for a 5-3 lead but this was short lived as goals from Scott Hislop 35.17 and Graeme Brown 36.39 tied the match.

Graeme Brown scored his second of the night at 47.31 to give Blackhawks the lead. Lions were then dealt a crushing blow at 52.54 when goalie Scott Beveridge was thrown out of the game for allegedly spearing and injuring Blackhawks’ Justin King.

With Lions not having a back-up goalie on their bench, defenseman Andy Strachan swapped his player kit for a goalie kit to help out. Andy performed exceptionally well between the pipes and didn’t concede a goal.

Lions:: B Forsyth 0+5, C Coughtrie 1+2, R Beveridge 1+1, G hay 1+0, J Coughtrie 1+0, R Andreucci 1+0.

Blackhawks: G Brown 2+1, B murdoch 1+1, S Hislop 1+1, J King 1+0, H London 1+0.