REPORT: Clan use extra time to down Flyers

An overtime winner from Brock Beukeboom secured both points for Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan as they overcame a late comeback to beat Fife Flyers 5-4.

It was Clan’s first trip to Kirkcaldy in over two years and turned into a dramatic affair as Flyers pulled themselves from two goals behind to take the game into the extra period, where Malcolm Cameron’s men prevailed.

The visitors got themselves off to a good start when Mitch Jones opened the scoring with almost nine minutes on the clock, tucking the puck away at the back post.

Fife levelled through Kristian Blumenschien just after the restart when he made entry coming through the centre, but managed to get a shot off as he was being forced wide and Starrett was finally beaten.

Clan’s response was immediate as Colin Campbell tested Flyers goalie Shane Owen with a low shot that sprung loose, where Guillaume Gauthier was on hand to execute the rebound.

Jones picked up his second of the night when Mathieu Roy set him up with a good pass and the D-man’s shot rippled the Flyers net again.

The two-time scorer picked up an injury and needed helped from the ice, which was a worrying sight, but managed to return later on.

However Fife were on the board again as Carson Stadnyk fed the puck left to Mike McNicholas, who sent a shot in low to Starrett’s right.

Braylon Shmyr made it 4-2 with ten minutes to go to the delight of the fans and despite Flyers’ request for a review, it was unsuccessful and the goal stood.

Fife weren’t out of the game yet and as time ticked down, they started to put their guests under the cosh in the final minutes and it paid off.

McNicholas’ second of the night was forced in with three and a half minutes to go gave the home fans some hope and in pulling Owen late on, allowed them to go for it.

Blumsenschein’s blue line was the one that done it as it found its way into the Clan net and Todd Dutiaume’s side were level inside the final minute.

The game was on a knife edge as the teams returned for overtime, but Glasgow were the ones to get the winner.

Gauthier’s nicely played pass found Beukeboom, who fired from the inside right to beat Owen at his near post and confirm the victory, making it a happy return to Fife for Clan after 26 months.

Photos by Jillian McFarlane