Report

GAME REPORT: Jonsson nets first goal for Clan in loss to Giants

January 18, 2020

NEXT HOME GAME: The biggest derby in Scottish hockey returns THIS SUNDAY as the Fife Flyers visit Braehead Arena. It’s also the EIHL Pride weekend!

Tickets are available online HERE, by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.

Glasgow Clan 2 Belfast Giants 5

A tough week came to an end as Belfast Giants took the points in a 5-2 over Glasgow Clan at Braehead Arena.

It was the third game in a four-day run, the fifth of a nine-game spell in 20 days as Clan looked to bounce back from losses to Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers earlier in the week.

The first period with laden with penalties as various Giants players spent much of the session in the box, but it was a frustrating one as Clan failed to convert the chances they had.

Rasmus Bjerrum went close with an effort from the slot, but Belfast goalie Shane Owen did well to block then plunge to the ice to make the cover.

The visitors got the opening goal, ironically on a powerplay, when Jordan Smotherman’s shot came off Brian Ward’s stick on its way, with the puck ending up in the net.

Ward was to see his night end four minutes later when he received a five plus game penalty for a spearing offence on Nolan LaPorte, to further frustrate Adam Keefe on the Belfast bench.

It was a different story in the second period as Clan took an early penalty as Mikael Lidhammar – and it was enough for the Giants to kickstart a goal-laden 98 second spell.

Ryan Lowney beat McLaughlin with a shot from the left side face off circle on the powerplay as Belfast doubled their lead on 22:34.

The night started to go from bad to worse 15 seconds later as a low Ben Lake effort snuck in to the right of McLaughlin.

Then Elgin Pearce came in from the left to despatch a shot in from the centre.

Another followed as Kevin Raine’s shot was stopped bu the Clan goalie, but Liam Morgan was on hand to tuck away the rebound as Giants went five up without reply.

Clan managed to get one back as Marcus Jonsson surged up the left and moved into the centre before delivered an excellent finish into the net.

A second came for the home side early in the third as Owen spilled Travis Ehrhardt’s shot, with Matt Beca there to slam in the rebound.

Scott Tanski thought he had scored the third from close range after Lidhammar had sent one in on goal, but the video review ruled there had been an infringement on Owen so no goal was awarded.

Clan pushed to get something on the board when they pulled McLaughlin late on, but the Giants stood firm to claim the points.