REPORT: Devils turnaround leaves Clan at a loss

Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, experienced a poor night on the road when Cardiff Devils overturned a two-goal deficit to claim a 4-2 win at Ice Arena Wales.

It was the first trip to the Welsh capital in over two years for Glasgow and not the sort of night they would have wanted as Jarrod Skalde’s side fought back to claim the points.

The opening exchanges didn’t yield much in the way of chances, although Cardiff did apply a little pressure, but Jake Coughler’s chance from Cole Sanford’s pass didn’t come to anything.

Brodie Reid hit one over the crossbar then the home side’s hopes of an opener from Sam Duggan were dashed after Brandon McNally was called for interference.

Clan were patient in their play and Devils goalie Taran Kozun had to be at his best to deny Tim Shoup, who had two bites of the cherry with two shots from the centre at the blue line.

Guillaume Gauthier hit the post as the puck landed on the line and although both Clan’s #24 and Nolan LaPorte both scrambled to get the final touch, Kozun recovered well to kill it.

Clan finally broke the deadlock after half an hour when Gauthier brought the puck down the inside left and hesitated slightly to tee up Mitch Jones, who executed a superb one-timer.

It took only 32 seconds for Glasgow to double their lead as Brock Beukeboom was given time and space to drift down the right before sending his pass into the centre.

Arriving late at the crease, Mathieu Roy anticipated it all the way and tucked it in and in the blink of an eye, Clan were 2-0 up.

Devils had a massive chance early in the third when Coughler rushed through on the visiting goal, but Shane Starrett in the Glasgow goal, make an excellent pad save to deny the Devils man.

The home side got one back as Coughler was sprung but could only hit his shot off the post before Cole Sanford was on hand to finish the rebound with seven minutes to go.

Then 24 seconds later, Stephen Dixon got the final touch on a powerful shot from Brodie Reid to equalise and set up a grandstand finale.

Momentum heavily shifted in favour of the Devils as Josh Batch smashed in a third before Josh Waller completed what turned into a miserable night for the Clan with Cardiff’s fourth.

Photos by James Assinder