REPORT: Glasgow Clan 0 Guildford Flames 0

Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan’s hopes of reaching their first ever Challenge Cup Final are still alive after playing out an enthralling goalless draw against Guildford Flames.

Despite the lack of finishing, both teams served up a terrific advert for the Elite League with this high octane, high tempo encounter.

Guildford troubled the home side early on when Ryan Tait’s shot from the inside right smashed off Antti Karjalainen’s left hand post.

Then Matt Alvaro tried to dig one in as the Flames tried to take advantage on the powerplay but found his route to goal blocked by the Clan netminder.

Patrick Bajkov hit the post himself shortly after, but soon the home side, after looking good on the puck began to cause problems.

Eamon McAdam, Guildford’s goalie, did well to stop a low drive from Jake Bolton then used the pad to divert on a backhanded chance from Bryce Reddick

But up the other end, it was Karajalainen with a big moment as his outstretched skate denied Alvaro, who dragged the puck inside to set up a shot.

More chances came in the second period, but neither goal could be breached, as Nate Kallen rifled one in at one end, where he was denied by McAdam.

Then Jordan Klimek tried a similar effort at the other end but couldn’t get the better of Karjalainen.

Bajkov again went close as he hit the post, with Alvaro following in with the rebound, which produced a scrambled save from the Clan goalie as the scoreline remained untouched.

Karjalainen was called upon to make arguably the save of the game when a quick shot from Lewis Hook from out in front needed the Finn’s steady glove to make a mid-air catch.

Jordan Cownie was unlucky shortly after when he found space down the left to unleash a deadly effort that McAdam had to react quickly to as he redirected it away.

The atmosphere cranked up the final minutes as both teams went all out for the advantage in this tie and Clan very nearly got the opener with five to go.

His shot on a five-on-three powerplay rattled McAdam’s left hand post, but despite the late push, the destiny of this tie now rests when they meet again for the second leg in a couple of weeks’ time.