Glasgow Clan vs Sheffield Steelers

The Premier Sports sponsored Glasgow Clan picked up momentum for the playoffs with a with a dramatic overtime win over the Sheffield Steelers in their final regular season game before the playoffs.

The first period was dominated by the goaltenders with Sami Aittokallio denying 14 Steelers’ shots on goal while Eamonn McAdam denied 4 attempts from Glasgow with a Brett Neumann breakaway the most dangerous of the lot.

The visitors were forced to kill off a Mitchell Heard minor penalty to start the second period, and failed to pick up momentum after that with Tristin Langan opening the scoring for the hosts later in the period.

A breaking play in the neutral zone sparked Brayden Burke up the right wing while Langan beelined to the crease and snapped a first time shot past McAdam when Burke swept the puck his way.

Glasgow carried their lead into the third period thanks to some strong goaltending from Aittokallio and managed to double their advantage when Langan turned provider and parried the puck to Burke for a quick finish in the blue paint.

Brien Diffley halved the deficit exactly one minute later though as he positioned himself well near the Clan net and was quick to send a rebound over Aittokallio and put Sheffield on the boards.

Glasgow’s efforts to see the game out in regulation and therefore move into 7th in the standings were clear to see but a Jordon Southorn shot tipped by Stephen Harper quashed their chances as the Steelers drew level.

Despite pulling Aittokallio for the extra skater with two minutes to go in a tied game, the teams were forced beyond regulation to battle out for the extra point.

Another minor penalty to Heard pegged Sheffield back though as the hosts went on a 4-on-3 powerplay and Mick Messner stepped up to rifle the decisive goal past McAdam.

The final result, as well as others around the league, means the Clan will faceoff against the league champions, the Belfast Giants in the playoff quarter finals while the Steelers will have to face Paul Dixon’s Guildford Flames next weekend.