Flyers keep playoff hopes alive with shootout win

Photo: Flyers Images

Fife Flyers have little option but to keep winning games if they're to keep their outside chances of making the playoffs alive, and they did just that with a shootout win over Cardiff on Saturday night.

Period one was over in a flash with good flowing play each way seeing the opening 20 minutes take just 24 minutes to complete. It ended goalless although Shane Owen was the busier of the goalies despite good pressure from the Flyers.

Josh Waller had the Devils' best chance in the opening phases of period two but saw his shot come back off the post. An unfortunate high-sticking minor on Greg Chase after he caught Matt Register on a stick-lift put the Devils on a four-minute advantage but it was the home side that came out ahead - a misplaced pass allowed Michael McNicholas to skate through 1-on-0 and beat Taran Kozun blocker side.

With 6:28 to play, Brandon McNally fired home from a pass in front to tie the game which was no more than the Devils' pressure in period three had deserved.

With neither side unable to find a winner in regulation, the game went to overtime where the Flyers had the better opportunities but were denied by a combination of Kozun, shots off target, and an excellent last-ditch interception by Mark Richardson.

Matt Carter scored the only goal in nine shootout attempts to earn the home side the extra point.