REPORT: Nottingham Panthers 2 Glasgow Clan 3 (After overtime)
Matt Barry’s dramatic overtime winner reignited Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan’s play-off hopes after coming from behind to clinch a 3-2 win at Nottingham Panthers.
Having dropped into the bottom two places in recent days, this really was a must-win as Jason Morgan’s men looked to begin the final week of the regular season in a play-off position and Barry’s winner could be a key moment in the campaign.
Clan took a few shifts find their rhythm, although a chance from Ryan Harrison – moved on by Panthers netminder Rok Stojanovic – looked threatening.
Antti Karjalainen made a big save to deny Anthony Luciani right in front as he managed to get a close range off on the turn.
The Clan goalie was called upon again to rush from his crease as Stephen Anderson closed in on goal, moving him around the outside, allowing the defence to deal with the aftermath.
While up the other end, Stojanovic showed his class to save from Dyson Stevenson after Glasgow’s captain had combined with Matt Barry and Robert Lachowicz in a move down the inside left.
Karjalainen was on top form early in the second period with a superb glove save as Didrik Henbrant managed to wriggle himself into a gap, but his shot was well caught by Clan’s goalie.
The deadlock was finally broken by Luke Lynch five minutes into the middle period when took the pass from Steve Desrocher in the centre and executed his 20th goal of the season to put Glasgow in front.
Almost immediately, Henbrant was sniffing around for a goal when his effort saw a fantastic save from Karjalainen, with the outside of the Clan left hand post the saviour for the rebound.
Panthers pulled level though as Joe Hazeldine drilled one in from the blue line, with Mathieu Lemay getting a piece of it on the way in, leaving Karjalainen helpless as the home team got on the board.
They went ahead in the latter stages of the second as Henbrant’s shot hit the post as Panthers surged forward, with the puck falling to Jordan Kelsall, who sent in a well-stuck shot.
Philippe Sanche saw a great chance denied on the powerplay as Josh Tetlow sat for a trip, but Panthers managed to survive being a man down.
Clan killed two penalties as the third period went on with Bryce Reddick sitting on a high stick double minor while Gary Haden went for slashing.
It gave them a chance in the final minutes and their perseverance paid off as Darien Craighead’s shot was initially saved by Stojanovic, with Sanche tucking in the rebound with 2:37 to go.
The game went into overtime, with Clan assured of the point that would take them back into the top eight and a great chance from Charlie Combs was fizzed over as the visitors looked for the winner.
Then Barry delivered when the team needed it the most, moving in from the left and putting his low shot past Stojanovic, with two points in the bag and two big games to come to decide Clan’s fate.
