MORAY TYPHOONS 1 – PAISLEY PIRATES 7

After several under par performances in recent weeks, Pirates returned to form with an excellent away win in Elgin, overcoming the Typhoons comfortably to record a 7-1 victory.

Pirates were penalised after only nine seconds as Thorp took a trip to the penalty box with his opposite number Millar but as they came back onto the ice, Munro for the home side took another minor and Pirates scored immediately through Henderson to take the lead. It got better for Pirates as with only 5 minutes on the clock the same player linked with Crute and Walker to double the advantage and give the visitors a healthy cushion with the game still in its early stages.

Both goalies were kept busy on the small rink but with the first period almost at an end, the Typhoons got themselves on the board with 14 seconds remaining as Munro beat Russell to give the scoreline a tighter look, as the teams headed for the dressing room with Pirates holding a narrow 2-1 advantage.

Pirates came out for the middle session looking to take the game away from their hosts and were rewarded with a quick goal in the 23rd minute as Hamilton, up with the forwards, beat McPherson to restore the 2 goal advantage. The visitors were now motoring in top gear and four minutes later Walker was on hand to make it 4-1 on the powerplay, and less than a minute later it was game over as Johnston was on hand to give his side a four goal advantage. Pirates were outshooting the hosts by more than two to one during the session, but were unable to turn their superiority into more goals. Nevertheless, at the buzzer, they were sitting pretty at 5-1.

If there was any lingering doubt about the destination of the two points, they were dispelled after only 18 seconds of the final session as Thorp finished off a move with McGlaughlin and Crute to make it six. Pirates ran into penalty trouble and were forced to play off no fewer than 4 minor penalties thereafter, but there was still time for the giant forward to net his second of the night and present a final scoreline of 7-1 to the visitors, and round off an excellent night for them before the long trip home.

Pirates are at home for the first time in three weeks this Sunday when they again line up against the Typhoons at Braehead Arena (face off 6.00pm) in the reverse fixture.