REPORT: Play-off job done as Clan down Storm

by Blair McNally

Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, are in the Premier Sports Elite League play-offs after an emphatic 7-4 victory over Manchester Storm sealed their top eight berth.

A Mathieu Roy hat-trick and two from Nolan LaPorte, plus solitary strikes from Guillaume Gauthier and Braylon Shmyr gave Malcolm Cameron’s men the two points they needed to clinch it.

In need of a win to have any hope of the play-off’s, the Storm started the better of the two, forcing Clan goalie Shane Starrett into a number of strong saves to keep them at bay.

Against the run of play, the home side took the lead as Mathieu Roy was in the right position in front of goal to sweep up the loose puck from Mitch Jones’ effort, slotting home.

Colton Waltz got the crowd on their feet as he dropped the gloves with Tayler Thompson, giving the pair a five-minute penalty for fighting.

Two minutes into the middle period, the scores were level as Storm broke forward, with Dallas Ehrhardt finishing on the rebound.

LaPorte added Clan’s second just outside the crease to put them back in front then Roy picked up his second and Glasgow’s third, getting the better of Storm goalie Jason Bacashihua.

Clan’s #37 made it 4-1 shorthanded as the home side took advantage of Manchester’s advanced powerplay stance, but Scott Simmonds got one back shortly after to reduce the deficit to two.

Guillaume Gauthier swept home Clan’s fifth in off the post after combining with Rodney Southam down the left to put them 5-2 up.

However, the three-goal advantage would be short lived as a quickfire goal from Simmonds meant the score was reduced to two again

With 11 minutes remaining it was six as the Clan restored their three-goal lead as Braylon Shmyr showed great skill, slamming the puck into the top shelf

Emptying their net with three minutes remaining, the Storm got a much-needed goal in the hope of a comeback with the extra man through Jared VanWormer.

However, their narrow hopes of any result would be blemished as Roy slotted into an empty net with thirty seconds remaining to complete his hat-trick and ensure the Clan would be involved post season.

WATCH: Malcolm Cameron’s post game reaction