Kilmarnock Whirlwinds 11

Solway 9

On Saturday the Whirlwinds were up against Solway at home for their first match this season, it was an exciting game and all the players thoroughly enjoyed the chance to show off their skills at this friendly match, especially the new players of the season.

The Whirlwinds were leading 6-5 on the run up to the end of the first half, then Solway soon fought back with a goal seconds away. It was clear that both Jordan Buesa and Ben Coughtrie were on fine form with Ben being awarded Man off the Match.

Scorers: Jordan Buesa (7+0), Ben Coughtrie (4+0), Lewis McHaffie-Holmes (0+1), Gavin Bone (0+1), Luke Kelly (0+2) and Mark Solerod (0+1).

Kilmarnock Tornadoes 5
Murrayfield Rascals 0

Kilmarnock faced Murrayfield Rascals on Saturday and a win would see the Tornadoes lifted to third in the league.

The game was firmly in the Tornadoes control from the outset with the first goal coming after just 4 and a half minutes, Tom Watson from Ronan McCready. The Tornadoes continued to dictate the play and even when the Rascals had power play advantage they were unable to pass defenseman Dean Hamilton and Behn Kerr.

The Rascals netminder was kept busy and played well so that although the Tornadoes had opportunity and several good shots it was another 12 minutes before they could get the puck into the net, Scott Snaddon netting a Tom Watson rebound.

The noisy Rascals bench had no impact on the action on the ice. The Murrayfield forwards proved no match for Behn Kerr and Jack Gemmell who looked relaxed in defense. So Killie entered the break with a two to zip lead.

The Tornadoes took control of the second period from the whistle and the crowd could sense it was only a matter of time before there would be another goal. When Murrayfield took a boarding penalty for a dangerous challenge on Kristofer McKenzie, the team set about making the power play count. Some fine passing hockey from Jordan Buesa and Ronan McCready allowed Tom Watson to score the Kilmarnock side’s third goal.

The Tornadoes were well in control and goalie Angus Laing, after another shut out performance, left the ice to allow rookie netminder Thomas Mangan to finish the game. Kilmarnock continued to pressure and with two minutes left to play Jordan Buesa put a fine solo effort past the Rascals tiring netminder.

After a fine game from the entire squad the Tornadoes left the Rascals with one more lesson in passing hockey when Andrew Barr made the most of play by Tom Watson and Ronan McCready, who claimed his third assist of the game.

Man of the Match – Dean Hamilton

Stats: Tom Watson (2-1), Jordan Buesa (1-1), Andrew Barr (1), Scott Snaddon (1), Ronan McCready (0-3)

Kilmarnock Tornadoes 9

North Ayr Penguins 0

Kilmarnock Tornadoes faced local rivals, North Ayr Penguins for the second time this season on Saturday. Having beaten the Pens 9 – 4 at the Magnum, the mood was positive for the home fixture.

Both teams started well but North Ayr could only contain the Tornadoes a few minutes, Ronan McCready with a fine solo effort on 6.29. Three minutes later it was 2–0 to Killie as Scott Snaddon got his 5th or the season, ably assisted by Jordan Buesa and Struan Forbes. From then on the Tornadoes took control of the game and an unassisted, shorthanded goal by Tom Watson at
18.11 meant the Penguins trailed 3–0 at the break.

The second period picked up where the first had finished. The Tornadoes players never allowed the North Ayr side to gain any advantage. Fine defensive play by Behn Kerr and Jack Gemmell limited the scoring opportunities for the Penguins, and anything that strayed through was quickly dealt with by Angus Laing in the nets.

The second period scoring was opened when the Penguin net minder made an error allowing Ronan McCready to take advantage of an empty net and get his second unassisted goal of the game. Jordan Buesa, assisted by Struan Forbes made it 5-0 and with ten minutes left to play, Andrew Barr and Tom Watson made it 6 to the Tornadoes.

The Penguins were tired and unable to get any clear shots on goal, as Kristofer MacKenzie and Dean Hamilton kept them at bay. But the Tornadoes hadn’t quite finished and Jordan Buesa, assisted by Dylan Allan, made it 7 on 32.02. Tom Watson with two more unassisted goals took the final tally to 9-0 to Kilmarnock.

Man of the Match was netminder Angus Laing for his second shut out of the season.
Stats; Watson (4), Buesa (2-1), McCready (2), Snaddon (1), Forbes (0-2), Barr (0-1), Allan (0-1)