REPORT: Overtime dashes Clan win hopes

Nolan LaPorte scored twice, but it wasn’t enough for Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West as they were beaten 3-2 in overtime by Sheffield Steelers.

Despite leading the game until 19 seconds to go, Clan saw their hopes of taking the points from the league leaders dashed as John Armstrong’s massive blue line shot flew into Shane Starrett’s net for victory.

Steelers had enjoyed the better of the chances in the first period as they looked to make their mark on the game, as Justin Hodgman sent an early effort just wide of Shane Starrett’s left side post.

The home side took the lead on a five-on-three powerplay after almost 12 minutes as Steelers built up the play nicely, with Hodgman and Matias Sointu combining to feed Martin Latal, who stabbed in backhanded.

Clan had their chances in the opening 20 minutes, but found Steelers goalie Rok Stojanovic hard to break down.

But it could have been two down if Tanner Eberle’s backhanded shot had found its way in, rather than going wide, as it did.

Harry Ferguson and LaPorte both had early chances in the second period as Glasgow looked to get themselves level, but couldn’t find a way through.

The game became more and more open, with chances at both ends, serving up an exciting one for the fans.

Marc-Olivier Vallerand hit the post as Steelers looked to increase their advantage, while Stojanovic did well to prevent Ferguson from a close range finish after he had been put in by Rodney Southam.

But Clan got themselves level when a shot from the slot by Colin Campbell was rebounded by the Steelers goalie, with LaPorte pouncing to finish.

The visitors took the lead six minutes into the third period when Sheffield successfully killed a penalty, but couldn’t clear their lines as Guillaume Gauthier put a low one on Stojanovic.

The puck escaped from the Steelers goalie, where LaPorte was on hand to poke in at the crease and suddenly, the Clan were ahead for the first time in the game.

A breakaway chance from Brock Beukeboom went wide, with LaPorte going close by hitting the post as he tried to close in on his hat-trick.

Steelers went for it in the final minute and piled on the pressure as Vallerand’s shot came off Starrett, landing nicely for Latal to finish with 19 seconds left on the clock.

But Armstrong’s piledriver took the game as Steelers salvaged the win in the end, while Clan took the point home.

Photos by Dean Woolley