REPORT: Clan edged in penalty shootout

Glasgow Clan 2 : Coventry Blaze 3 OT

The Glasgow Clan, sponsored by returned to Braehead Arena for the first time in 21 months with a fighting performance against Coventry Blaze, falling to a 3-2 defeat after a shootout.

After 638 days of absence, The Purple Army returned home in front of over 3,000 exuberant Clan supporters.

Full of energy upon their return, the Clan started the better of the pair, forcing visiting goaltender CJ Motte into two strong saves within the first minute.

In the tenth minute things began to heat up as both teams’ physical side started to show.

With four minutes left on the clock for the first period, Sunday’s hero Dyson Stevenson missed a glorious chance to put the home side ahead. Receiving the puck with the goal at his mercy he failed to connect.

However, the breakthrough would come just 20 seconds later on the powerplay through Canadian Mathieu Roy. Colton Yellow Horn’s drive found Mathieu Roy lurking at the back post who dispatched with ease, putting the arena on their feet.

Just seconds into their first powerplay the Blaze were level through Janne Laakkonen after Matt Haywood was sent to the penalty box for tripping. Taking full advantage, Johnny Curran found Laakkonen at the back post to finish past the scrambling Starrett.

Ten minutes later their lead was doubled on the power play after a period of heavy Clan pressure. The scorer soon became the provider, setting up Curran in front of the net who smashed beyond Starrett.

Their lead would not last as just like the first, both teams went into the break level.

It was a debut to remember for Mitch Jones as he had the home side level with 15 seconds left on the clock. Collecting the puck in the centre of the ice the American let fly, slapping the puck into the top left corner.

The third period belonged to the home side as a dominant performance wasn’t rewarded. In complete control, the Clan failed to take advantage of a number of opportunities, sending the game into sudden death overtime.

Halfway through the five-minute period the Clan were gifted a great opportunity as the visitors were reduced by a man. Unfortunately, the Clan could not find the winner, sending the game to penalty shots.

Shooting towards the main entrance, Malcolm Cameron’s men were not able to get the return they had been hoping for, ultimately falling 3-1 to the Blaze in the shootout as Tim Shoup was the only scorer.