REPORT: Glasgow Clan 4 Coventry Blaze 2

Report by Sam Scouller; photos by Al Goold

Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan ended a six-game losing streak to secure a 4-2 home win over Coventry Blaze.

Clan captain Dyson Stevenson got the hosts off to a flawless start as he burst into the Blaze zone and dangled past Taran Kozun to bag the opening goal just 21 seconds in.

Glasgow maintained that offensive pressure throughout the opening period with multiple promising scoring chances, but nothing could double the lead.

Coventry’s Kim Tallberg slammed the puck into the net in the closing minutes of the period, but the goal was ruled out for a high stick following a video review.

Ian McNulty levelled the scoring for the visitors with an unassisted goal early in the second period as he rebounded a Tallberg shot in close.

Phillipe Sanche thought he had put the Clan back in front but Kozun cut the celebrations as it was ruled the puck hadn’t crossed the line after another video review.

Matt Barry also came close to scoring for the Clan as he and Rob Lachowicz hurtled up the ice in a two-on-one, but he couldn’t steer his shot on target.

The Clan had their way eventually thanks to Gary Haden as he pounced on a powerplay chance and bagged a go-ahead goal with a shot from the left just 12 seconds after the penalty was awarded.

In the final two minutes of the period, Mike Pelech doubled Glasgow’s lead when he snapped a low wrist shot that sailed through a crowd and into the net.

Darien Craighead was a thorn in the Blaze defence in the third period with constant shots and dangerous passes in the offensive zone, including an ambitious attempt at a Michigan.

Kozun then pulled off an impressive save on a Sanche shot after the Clan’s #10 stole the puck in the Coventry zone and bore down on net all alone.

Tyler Kirkup halved the deficit later in the period with a smooth finish to slide the puck under Clan netminder Kevin Lindskoug.

But Lachowicz quickly restored the Clan’s two-goal lead and sealed the points as he lobbed the puck into an empty net in the final minute securing the points for the home team.