GAME REPORT: Late Bloodoff goal seals frustrating night for Clan

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GLASGOW CLAN 2 FIFE FLYERS 3

A late Evan Bloodoff goal meant it wasn’t to be on another frustrating night for Glasgow Clan, going down 3-2 to Fife Flyers in the first part of this final weekend double header.

This latest battle between the Scottish rivals was always going to be about more than play-off seedings as they entered into a high octane, fascinating contest.

With fourth place up for grabs, a good start was important and after the first period, Clan were a goal to the good and enjoying a large part of the chances.

Shane Owen was kept busy in the Flyers goal, having to make two stops from Scott Tanski, who shot on the turn then the follow-up, an angled effort from Gerard Hanson, to keep his net unblemished.

However, the home side took the lead when Travis Ehrhardt kept the puck in at the blue line and fed an early pass forward to Vaclav Stupka in front of the crease.

The Slovakian was quick on the turn and delivered a low shot underneath Owen and the Clan had the opening goal for a lead they held going into the first break.

Flyers drew level four minutes into the second period when Evan Bloodoff managed to get a shot off, despite being tracked closely by Ehrhardt and it found its way into the net for the equaliser.

Owen produced two excellent glove saves to keep Clan at bay, but the home side edged in front when Zack Fitzgerald picked up the puck at the blue, moved forward, evading Joe Basaraba before rifling a low diagonal shot into the Fife net.

Todd Dutiaume’s side went close shortly after as Carlo Finucci blazed an open goal chance high, with Brett Bulmer hitting the post seconds later, but there was no advance on the scoring.

The visitors got themselves level early in the third as Bulmer tucked in from close range as the Kirkcaldy side levelled again.

But heartache followed in the last couple of minutes as Bloodoff made his way down the inside left lane and fired a crisp shot past into Joel Rumpel’s net.

There was late drama as Matt Stanisz had a chance to nick a leveller, but found Owen in top form to keep his goal guarded to the end.