Jets win Spring Tournament - March 23rd 2008
The Ayr Jets defeated a large Dumfries Demons team for the second time
of the weekend to lift the cup for the second time in three years.
The Jets progressed to the final after winning four games in the qualifying
stages on Saturday (defeating Dumfries 3-0) & a further two wins
on Sunday at the Dumfries IceBowl. As the top seeded team the Ayr
Jets went on to play Kingston Cobras in the first semi-final of the
day, with captain Graham McKinlay turning out after being absent due
to work commitments in the morning. This only strengthened the already
strong Ayr side and the Jets skated to victory with a 3-2 win, which
should have been 3-1 if not for Kingston showing a lot of effort all
the way to the final buzzer, scoring their second with only six seconds
remaining of the short, twenty-five minute running clock game.
Dumfries faced Newcastle Coyotes for the second time of the day in the second
semi-final game and quickly scored. Coyotes played hard but their
short bench of nine skaters proved inefficient against the Demons
who progressed to meet the Jets in the final with a 3-1 victory.
As the Zamboni finished resurfacing the ice, the Jets emerged from the
dressing room only for forward, Andy Watt to ask the waiting Dumfries
players "Are you ready to get pumped?". Breaking the ice
(excuse the pun), at least amongst the Ayr players anyway. A quick
warm up and huddle around the net with no shout as was the trend all
weekend before the puck dropped for the opening face-off.
Jets iced a starting line up of centre John Kidd, forwards, Gary Morris
and Andy Watt backed by Mark Andrews and Kevin Simpson at defense
with Bernie McCrone between the pipes. Sunday also saw futher additions
to the roster with rookie D-man Martin Purss, forwards Graeme Pav
Cathcart, veteran Ian Devlin and netminder Dan McLauchlan making the
trip. Scratches from Saturdays squad included stay at home defenseman
Stevie "Tap" Fawcett and soon to be married, Gary Collins,
goalie Steven McLauchlan and forward "Wee Jim" McLauchlan.
The game got off to a good start with the puck being moved from end-to-end.
Jets looked promising as they cycled the puck in the corners leaving
Dumfries chasing the opposing players all over their defensive end.
But the tables turned when the play shifted to the other end of the
ice and Demons scored the opener just before the ten minute mark with
Jets players scrambling to get into position. Ayr soon equalised with
a nice goal from top scorer Andy Watt. Both teams grinded hard and
Jets had a beautiful Gary Morris goal disallowed to one of three dubious
offside calls of the game. The score soon changed again with a face-off
to the left of the goal in the Ayr zone won by Kidd, only to be mishandled
by Morris which the Demons pounced on to take the lead. Jets never
give up attitude shone brightly leading to a Kevin Simpson slapshot
being deflected off the goalie's stick and into the Demon's net tying
the game at two each. Ayr's first line ramained on the ice for over
two minutes nearing the end pushing for another notch but as regulation
time ended, the score remained a 2-2.
This was followed by a quick breather and a five minute period of sudden
death overtime. Jets first line stayed on the ice for the whole time
fighting against fatigue as well as Dumfries and held it tight until
the end. With no score and no end to the game the scene was set for
every hockey fans favourite show, the penalty shot shootout. Ayr won
the coin toss and decided to shoot first sending this years newest
signing Gary Morris to centre ice. A few intense seconds later, Morris
deked the goalie perfectly and sent the puck home. Then Jets NM Bernie
McCrone blocked a weak effort by Dumfries' first shooter.
Kevin Simpson barely missed a nicely set-up move putting the biscuit just
past the post after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. McCrone
poke checked the Demons' next skater's attempt on the guantlet putting
Ayr up 1-0 and Kidder under pressure as the Jets' next shooter. Going
for a shot through the five hole, the goalie shut the doors keeping
the Dumfries side still in it.
With a worried looking Andy Watt on the Ayr bench as Ayr's next in line,
Bernie stood between the posts once more and clinched victory with
another great save. Moments later the rest of the Jets were swarming
the ice to celebrate. This was folowed by the customary hand shakes
between the two teams and officials before the prize ceremony commenced.
A lengthy process of bringing out the trophies and medals with well
earned thank you gifts being handed out to almost everyone in the
rink. Demons collected their second place medals, followed by the
2008 Spring Cup Winners...the Ayr Jets.
Captain Graham McKinlay collected the shiny, silver cup first, follwed by
the rest of the elated team to pick up their medals and pose for pictures
(available soon on the gallery page). The celebrations continued in
the dressing room with a few beers and laughs before heading back
to the team's local bar at the St Andrews Hotel (where the trophies
are kept) in Ayr to continue the party.
Although there were several Jets players missing over the weekend due to work
and family commitments, Ayr iced a talented mix of young and older
generations of players over the weekend which proved to be the key
to their success. The team had a great weekend and wish to extend
our gratitude for the invite and hope to be able to defend our title
next year.
