NEWS: Finnerty upbeat about pre-season

NEXT HOME GAME: The Braehead Clan face the Belfast Giants in an exciting start to the season on Sunday 28th August (6:00pm face-off). Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.

intu Braehead Clan head coach Ryan Finnerty says it’s been nothing but positives from his team so far as they head into their latest pre-season games.

 

The Clan have a double header with Belfast Giants, starting in the SSE Arena on Saturday before returning to Braehead Arena on Sunday.

 

And Finnerty was pleased to see one aspect of his team develop in last week’s 5-2 Aladdin Cup triumph at Nottingham Panthers.

 

“The practice has gone as well as I could have hoped for this week,” Clan’s coach said. “We’re outside of our rink, so we’re travelling, which isn’t ideal in scenarios.

 

“We’re picking up fast and the team is integrating well. The communication side of it has been great, as I said and we’re all trying to make sure we’re doing the same things.

 

“It’s something we didn’t have last year. It was a pretty quiet room, but this year, they all want to get on the same page and it’s been a lot of fun.

 

“Our D were talking to our forwards and helping with problem solving and any time guys are so comfortable to be talking so early in the season, it’s a good sign.

 

“It’s different from last year where we were thrown straight into the Champions League so I’m trying to get as much from these games as possible, while trying to get everyone on the ice.

 

“We’ve had another great week and we’re back in the arena on Friday, which is great news so everything’s been positive for us so far.”

 

Belfast will present a stern test to Finnerty and his new-look team with the beginning of the season just over a week away.

 

While wanting the wins isn’t an earth shattering revelation, he’s looking for other aspects of the overall game to be better as preparations continue.

 

He added: “Other than victories, I’m looking for progression in these two games and be better than before. We want to have better shape and have better understandings too.

 

“We’ve been working a lot on our special teams and we’ll look to put that into practice this weekend and get a look at different guys in those situations.

 

“At the end of the day, we want to be better, try out the different systems and come out of it injury free.

 

“We’re not too focussed on Belfast though as I’d rather concentrate on our own systems and see how our players adapt and it’s a good opportunity to see where the guys are at.”