REPORT: Clan lose on the road in Belfast
Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan defenceman Mitch Jones scored the team’s only goal of the night as Malcolm Cameron’s side were beaten 5-1 by Belfast Giants.
Matt Haywood returned after missing Wednesday’s game at Sheffield Steelers, marking his 600th game in all Elite League competitions.
As for Belfast, their first game in two weeks due to being in Covid protocols didn’t seem to hamper them as they came out looking thirsty to make their mark following their enforced absence.
It only took them eight minutes to get on the board as Tyler Soy opened the scoring, getting the final touch on a chance from Ciaran Long’s shot to put them in front.
Belfast put their opponents on the back foot for much of the first period and they made their pressure count with a second before the end of the opening session.
With Mikko Vainonen in the box for slashing, the Giants made it count as JJ Piccinich doubled the lead from the in front of the net after an excellently played pass from Belfast captain David Goodwin.
Another powerplay goal followed five minutes into the middle period when Slater Doggett’s play saw Clan goalie Shane Starrett deny Jordan Boucher, but could do nothing as Soy finished his second to make it 3-0.
Number four arrived for the Giants on a breakaway as the home team transitioned quickly after a Clan move broke down, with Ben Lake leading the charge.
He passed to Doggett, who pulled the trigger to blast the puck past Starrett and Adam Keefe’s side were four up without reply by the end of the second period.
Clan finally got on the scoresheet in the final session as Mitch Jones fired one past Tyler Beskorowany to give the travelling support something to cheer about.
More chances were peppered on the Belfast goal as Rodney Southam and Cody Sol both threatened the home goal.
But it was as much as Clan could muster as Slater Doggett rounded off the night with a fifth for the Giants, slipping the puck under Starrett to clinch the points.
Jones got into a fight with Doggett late on as frustrations boiled over, but was already on his way to a slightly earlier finish, with a game misconduct handed to him, summing up another disappointing night on the road.
Photos by William Cherry/Press Eye
