REPORT: Glasgow Clan 4 Coventry Blaze 5 (After overtime)

Charlie Combs came to the rescue for Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan to earn a point, but Coventry Blaze took the victory in overtime in a nine-goal thriller.

In a highly entertaining contest that could have gone either way, the Blaze edged it to take part one of the weekend double header between the teams, which concludes in Coventry on Sunday.

Nathan Ripley got the first real chance of the game, but his chance was deflected into the high net before Darien Craighead fired narrowly wide at the other end for the Clan.

The home side were starting to get a few good looks on the Blaze net, with Jake Bolton having two blocked attempts, with Coventry goalie Nolan Kent playing his part.

Clan made the most of their opportunities when Matt Barry picked up his first goal for the club as he came through the middle and tucked the puck low past Kent.

The closest Blaze came in the rest of the first period were two decent shots, courtesy of Kobe Roth and James Shearer – both of which well saved by Clan netminder Jake Kielly.

After some initial pressure, Coventry made it count as Alessio Luciani got a touch on Kim Tallberg’s assist to draw them level.

But the lead lasted just four minutes when Charlie Combs got his first goal for the Clan with a slick finish to send it low past Kent’s short side.

Gary Haden then added a third with a well-struck shot from the right side that flew past the Blaze goalie as the home side opened a two-goal gap.

However, Blaze started to eat into the lead when JD Dudek’s low effort seemed to get away from Kielly and ended up in the net.

Then Mitch Cook’s short drop pass cued up Tyler Kirkup with a wicked execution to draw the game level, followed by Luciani’s tip in from Kobe Roth’s shot and Blaze were in front going into the third.

Clan finally levelled in the final couple of minutes as Kielly was sacrificed for an extra skater – a move that pay off as Combs got his second of the game from the inside right, sending the puck past Kent.

Brady Norrish claimed the win for the visitors in the extra period as he got the rebound on his own shot to slam it past Kielly.