Ice Hockey: Pirates stage an ambush

WHILE Cardiff Devils, the Premier Division champions, kept in trim for the play-offs with wins against Murrayfield Racers and Billingham at the weekend, others were administering shocks, writes Steve Pinder.

None more so than Peterborough Pirates, who lost to fellow- strugglers Billingham, but then proceeded to beat the fourth-placed Fife Flyers. Possibly incensed by a disallowed power-play goal, they were 5-1 up half-way through the match. Flyers' Ryan Kummu did not do his side any favours, taking 20 of his side's 32 minutes' worth of penalties in four separate incidents.

Durham Wasps laid to rest the spectre of their bogy team, Bracknell Bees, who came back from 4-1 down to 4-4 and again looked likely to secure an unlikely win. Durham refused to be scared and pulled ahead to 7-5 with six minutes left only for Bees to pull one back. Durham's insurance goal came with three seconds left, their 8-6 win lifting them to fifth.

In the First Division, Blackburn Hawks ensured their place in the promotion / relegation play-offs with two wins. They started by demolishing Lee Valley Lions 13-1 and went on to beat Oxford City Stars 19-2.