REPORT: Coventry Blaze 3 Glasgow Clan 0

by Sam Scouller; photos by Scott Wiggins

The Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, are still looking for their first away win this season after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Coventry Blaze at the Skydome.

Blaze took the lead early on with a delayed penalty goal as they rushed the Clan zone and forced the puck in through a quick finish in the slot from Nathanael Halbert.

The first period was decorated with penalty calls as the game dawned a highly physical tone early on, putting both teams to the test.

The second period followed the same tune as big hits and scrappy goal mouth contests started to become more common.

The Clan managed to create a large number of chances in the first as Dyson Stevenson had a wrist shot from the crease hit the bar, while Gary Haden got two shots at Paavo Hölsä from close range but neither could find the back of the net.

Coventry would be the only scorers in the second period though as Kim Tallberg poked a rebounded puck through the five-hole of Glasgow netminder John Muse to put the hosts ahead by two.

The game’s physicality reached its peak in the final period with even Muse getting involved as he got called for interference after checking Coventry’s Ross Venus.

Jordan Buesa got a big chance one-on-one early into the third period as he burst out of the penalty box after serving for Muse but he couldn’t steer the puck past Hölsä.

Stevenson continued his impressive performance in the game as he set the example for the Clan by getting extremely physical with big open ice hits as well as controlling the pace of the team’s attack.

The Blaze rounded off the game with a shorthanded empty net goal from Tallberg as he grabbed his second goal of the game, Paavo Holsa also retained an impressive shutout.

Stevenson was rewarded for his impressive efforts as he claimed man of the match for the visitors.