REPORT: Sheffield Steelers 3 Glasgow Clan 2

Report by Sam Scouller; photos by Dean Woolley

Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan clawed their way back from three down, but fell short as Sheffield Steelers took a 3-2 win at the Utilita Arena.

The Steelers opened their account through Patrick Watling as he tipped Josh Nicholls’ shot to redirect it past Glasgow goalie Jake Kielly just 84 seconds in.

Colton Saucerman then put the hosts ahead by two when he zipped the puck into the top shelf from deep in the slot on the breakaway.

Less than 20 seconds later, Nicholls made it a three-goal lead for Sheffield as Watling fed him the puck at the backdoor which he swiped into the net.

After a timeout called by head coach Jason Morgan, the Clan started to get into a better rhythm as they started to challenge the Steelers defence more.

Charlie Combs and Dyson Stevenson generated a number of chances for the visitors and challenged Anthony Morrone a number of times.

Gary Haden would be first to score for Glasgow though as he first timed the puck into the roof of the net at the backdoor after a pass from Combs.

Former Clan player Zach Vinnell was then ejected from the game and given a five-minute major penalty for spearing.

In the second period, Mark Simpson put the puck in the Clan net after rebounding his own shot past Kielly, but the goal was chopped off due to a clear high stick on the shot.

Alex Forbes then dented the boards behind the Sheffield net when he released a shot from in close that travelled just wide of the net.

Haden and Stevenson generated more strong chances for the Clan but neither could produce a goal as the middle period ended with no difference to the scoreline.

The third period was a gruelling test for both sides with each roster demonstrating their tired legs as neither could produce a goal.

The Clan almost had a showstopper finish as Combs bagged a second Clan goal with just 14 seconds to go in the game before Luke Lynch forced Morrone to make a pad save in close shortly after.

It wasn’t to be for Glasgow though as the Steelers held on to take all four points from the weekend after seeing out the win.