REPORT: Blaze edge Clan in ten-goal thriller

by Blair McNally

Glasgow Clan sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West were on the wrong side of a goal fest at the Braehead Arena as the Coventry Blaze ran out 6-4 winners.

To the despair of the rowdy home support, the first goal of the match came the way of the visitors. Lurking on the edge of the crease, Ross Venus was on hand to slot into the Clan net with just five minutes on the clock.

Nine minutes in and the Clan were deservedly level as they took full advantage of their five-on-three powerplay with Mitch Jones despatching a fine wrist shot into the bottom right corner from a distance.

With three to go in the third period, the Blaze were back in the lead as a speculative shot from Dane Gibson seemed stunned a static Shane Starrett as it flew into the top shelf.

Clan’s task was made harder as Coventry doubled their lead shorthanded. Breaking down the left, Ryan Penny drove the puck across the face of goal, leaving Alec Marsh to finish through the five hole.

However, this lead would not last long as the Clan pulled one back instantly as Guillaume Gauthier finished off Colton Yellow Horn’s fierce effort reducing the lead to one.

The home side levelled as Tim Shoup used his instinctive reactions to slot through the five hole, bringing the scores level.

However Coventry retook the lead late on in the second through Nathan Ripley squeezed the puck home on the rebound after a fast break.

Braylon Shmyr missed a great chance to pull one back however it was the visitors who restored a two-goal lead with youngster Ripley claiming his second of the night, finishing over the shoulder of a helpless Starrett

Clan hit back immediately as Nolan Laporte made no mistake on the rebound, snapping the puck past CJ Motte.

Despite a late push, Clan were unable to find the crucial equaliser, leaving the Blaze to round off an impressive night, taking full advantage of empty net through Mitch Cook to ensure the two points travelled south.

Photos by Al Goold