Aviemore Avalanche blow away Inverness Hurricanes on return to game
Aviemore’s ice hockey team has made a winning return after more than two decades as the Avalanche.
The re-formed side won 4-0 against Inverness Hurricanes on Friday evening at the Inverness ice rink.
Club spokesman David Hodge said: “The team came about off the back of the junior team.
“There were some players from back in the day such as Kenny MacDonald, Kevin Bremner and Noel Baxter involved in coaching the junior team.
“They have enjoyed some great success with the junior team and there have been a few three on three tournaments in the small rink in Aviemore.
“Off the back of that a few of the parents started to play, alongside some of the veterans from the legendary Blackhawks and Blues.
“The senior team began to have a three on three scrimmage every Tuesday and Thursday.
“The numbers grew sufficiently for us to hold an internal six team tournament at the end of last season.
“It was then mooted that it may be possible for us to set up a senior recreational team. We worked on that over the summer and registered a team of circa 30 members with Scottish Ice Hockey.
“Friday saw us travel to meet our good friends Inverness Hurricanes in our first competitive game. There was trepidation and excitement on the part of the squad.”
Face off was at 7.55pm. The first half was evenly matched with excellent saves from Hurricanes netminder Mike Rigby and at the other end by Aviemore’s Sam Wallace.
The first period ended with no score.
The deadlock finally ended when a frustrated Aviemore team scored early in the first half from a superb cross goal pass by Darren McConnell which gave Stuart Gray the opportunity for a back hand nudge into the bottom left hand corner and make history for the Avalanche.
The second period rewarded Aviemore with another fine goal by Kevin Bremner, assisted by Matthew Orr.
Aviemore continued to press the Canes in period two and into the last minute a blinding short range strike by Darren McConnell assisted by Craig Taylor, saw the puck launched into the top left hand corner of the net.
A few minutes rest and into the third period and a breakaway from the legendary defenseman Kenny MacDonald, saw him skate the rink, a quick one, two with David Hodge and then score a magnificent goal.
Members of the new Aviemore team range in age 18 to 70.