Ayr Bruins 9 Dynamos 1
18 Apr 1971 Spring Cup
Bruins put themselves in an
excellent position to qualify for the final of the Spring Cup with this convincing win, sparked by yet another fine performance
by Ally Brennan. The late arrival of Billy Laird meant that Dynamos had to give young McCrone his baptism of fire in the first
period, and the five goals that Ayr scored gave them all the confidence they needed to go on and build up a big lead to take
them into the second leg.
A hat-trick
from A Brennan and further goals from Young and McBride got the large crowd into a happy frame of mind, and they gave their
favourites every encouragement. Early in the second period W Brennan opened Glasgow’s account, but Dynamos still appeared
to have a hangover from Thursday’s defeat at Murrayfield, and did not seem to be able to build up enough pressure in
mid ice to get to grips with Logan. When they did get a shot away, The Ayr net-minder seemed to be covering all the angles.
Towards the end of the middle period, Bruins superiority became more clearly marked, and McCrae and McBride increased their
lead.
Up to now,
it had been good clean stuff, but the game degenerated in a towsy third period, culminating in fighting majors for McBride
and B Stevenson. Ayr were still looking for goals and, despite some heroic work by Laird, McCrae and McBride got through again
to boost Ayr’s chances of reaching the final. In the last second of the match, B Stevenson was stretchered off with
a knee injury after colliding with McBride.
Star Ratings:
*** A Brennan
** McBride
* McCrae
Stop Press
Barry Stevenson, taken of injured
in the match against Ayr reported above, was takem immediately to Ayr County Hospital, where an X-Ray revealed a triple fracture
of the right leg. The first operation to reset the breaks was not entirely successful, and a second reset was carried out
on Monday.
The latest
bulletin from the hospital states that the setting is now satisfactory and Barry is comfortable. He is unlikely to be on crutches
for some time.
Report by Bernard Stocks Ice Hockey
Herald No 25 April 1971
My
own recollections of the game, were that Barry was kicked by a Bruin in the closing seconds, and that it was no accidental
collision. Indeed in the second leg, the Dynamos made a point of pummelling the guilty Bruin whenever the opportunity arose,
and at times where it didn’t!
