REPORT: Five star show as Clan defeat Steelers

by Blair McNally

Two early third period goals put Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan on the road to a 5-3 win over Sheffield Steelers at Braehead Arena.

It was a win that took five attempts, but ultimately pleasing as Clan held off a late offensive surge by their opponents as they looked to rescue the game.

An early fight between Clan captain Dyson Stevenson and Steelers’ Sam Jones set the tone and while Stevenson claimed victory, he picked up an injury that sidelined for the rest of the game.

With two minutes remaining in the first, a dominant period was rewarded as the Clan took the lead in emphatic style. Flying over the blue line, Mitch Jones rounded a Steelers defenceman before rifling into the top shelf.

Seven minutes into the second the home side were two goals to the good. Lurking at the back post, Jordan Buesa made no mistake dispatching over the shoulder of a helpless Stojanovic.

Just 23 seconds later, the noisy home support were in dreamland as they raced into a three-goal lead as Colin Campbell pounced on the fast break before squaring it to Braylon Shmyr, leaving him to finish low and hard.

Soon after, the Clan were inches away from wrapping the game up on the powerplay as Rodney Southam saw his effort rattle off the post.

With four minutes remaining in the second, Steelers had their first goal of the night as Tanner Eberle was found free between the circles to dispatch into the top shelf.

Just a minute later, the Steelers were denied their second of the night, with Eberle scoring again, but was eventually ruling the goal out for interference.

Two minutes later, the Steelers would get their second on the powerplay. Lurking in front of the blue line, Kevin Schulze forced a wristshot in off the post, beating an unsighted Shane Starrett.

Clan began the third on the front foot, claiming another goal to calm the nerves. Mikko Vainonnen the hero as he raced towards goal before flicking high into the near post, just thirty seconds into the third.

Cameron’s men restored their three-goal lead shortly after as Guillaume Gauthier slotted through the five-hole on the powerplay to send the stands into mayhem.

Shortly after, the Steelers narrowed the lead to two, setting up for a nervy ending as Eberle claimed his second of the night to give the visitors hope of a comeback.

But Clan held on for a big home win and their first victory in five games.

Photos by Al Goold