GAME REPORT: Playoff hopes back on track after shutting out Storm

NEXT HOME GAME: It’s a HUGE home game on Wednesday 18th March when the Dundee Stars come to Braehead Arena (7:30pm face-off). This game could be MASSIVE in race for the EIHL Playoffs, so as ever, we’ll need the Purple Army right behind us.

Don’t miss out, buy your tickets online HERE, by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office (Thursday 12 noon to 9pm, Friday 12 noon to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm).

Manchester Storm 0 Glasgow Clan 2

Glasgow Clan ended a six-game losing run to breathe life into their play-off aspirations, shutting out Manchester Storm with a 2-0 success to gain revenge for Friday’s scoreline.

It was nervy, it was tense, but it was exactly what Clan needed if they were to get their play-off bid back on some kind of track.

Defeats on Friday to the Storm then again in Coventry on Saturday hurt as the team dipped out of the play-off places, but for now, there are signs of life and a foundation from which to build from.

It was a positive start from Zack Fitzgerald’s team as early chances from Travis Ehrhardt and Sean Robertson put Manchester on the back foot.

Even Mac Howlett caused an issue or two with a chance that went narrowly wide of Storm netminder Matt Ginn’s net.

It took nine minutes for the visitors to open the scoring as Clan burst forward on the break with Matt Beca setting up Marcus Jonsson to execute the finish.

More chances came as Matt Haywood saw one edge wide while Ehrhardt blasted wide as the powerplay unit even looked to be clicking as well.

Storm struck the post in the later stages of the first, but it was a much-needed lead for Glasgow as they returned to the locker room.

The combination of Beca and Jonsson almost found a way through Manchester again, but were denied as Nolan LaPorte saw a decent effort grabbed by Ginn.

There was no way through again as the second period remained blank, but the Clan remained in front with a precious lead to protect.

The home side put Glasgow under early pressure as they looked to get back on level terms to no avail, with Robertson, in one instance, getting a timely poke check.

Manchester hit the post for a third time and couldn’t find a way through while Rasmus Bjerrum hit the side netting shortly after.

The intensity ramped up in the final stages with Clan determined to hold on, despite Storm finding another gear.

Ehrhardt was unlucky not to finish on a two-on-one, but the nerves soon turned to joy and relief as Glasgow got the second goal to confirm the points as LaPorte scored on the empty net.

There was even a celebration for man of the match, Patrick Killeen, picking up his first shutout of the season for the Clan as well on a night that could go a long way in deciding Glasgow’s season.

View the game sheet HERE