REPORT: Coventry Blaze 4 Glasgow Clan 3 (After overtime)

Photos by Scott Wiggins

Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan and Coventry Blaze went beyond regulation time for the fifth time together this season – and Blaze were the team that edged it in the end.

Clan were tested in the opening minutes when Kim Tallberg’s shot from centre went wide, while Gary Haden and Matt Barry both saw opportunities going close at the other end.

Glasgow goalie Kevin Lindskoug made the first save of note as he swiped an Alexander Kuqali’s effort out of the air.

But it was the visitors who drew first blood when Luke Lynch’s attempted play in from the right came off a skate, initially thought to have belonged to Reece Kelly before finding its way past Taran Kozun.  Lynch was the player credited with the goal.

However Blaze levelled before the first break as Ian McNulty, on a breakaway, was thwarted by Lindskoug before play continued and Kuqali was there to bury it from just outside the crease.

Clan got a second just after the restart when a Darien Craighead shot caused all manner of chaos as Kozun couldn’t hold and it sprung loose.

Haden managed to stuff it into the net from outside the blue paint to restore Glasgow’s lead as they took advantage.

Another chance a minute or so later, kicked off by a shot in from Kelly was dealt with by Kozun as Coventry scrambled to defend.

Blaze though tied up again as a high puck landed perfectly for JD Dudek, who got it under control, dragged it inside and slid the finish past Lindskoug.

The home side hit the post in the closing stages of the second as Glasgow had to contend with an intense spell of pressure, with Cody Sol in the penalty box for interference.

Stephen Desrocher saw a promising chance blocked as Jason Morgan’s side enjoyed plenty of possession early in the third session.

Coventry made their chance count as Mitch Cook threw the puck in from near the blue line, where Dudek was in the centre to get the final touch to take it beyond Lindskoug.

McNulty was denied by the Clan netminder as he found himself on a breakaway a few minutes later, with the visitors doing enough to make sure Blaze didn’t kill the game off.

Lindskoug was pulled in the final minutes as Glasgow pushed for a late equaliser, with Dyson Stevenson’s chance blocked by Kozun.

Then Desrocher marked his debut with a shot from the slot to slam in the goal, tying the game and taking it into overtime.

Clan had their hearts in their mouths in the extra period when Tallberg’s shot came off Lindskoug and almost crept over the line before being frantically cleared.

But their efforts were in vain as Dudek completed his hat-trick to seal the win for the Blaze.