REPORT: Roy at the double deals return win for Clan

Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, returned to action after a 16 day lay-off with a 3-1 win over the Manchester Storm.

Things were a little different tonight as the Purple Army were restricted to an attendance of just 200 under Scotland’s current Covid-19 restrictions.

Expected to show rustiness after a lengthy break, the Clan proved the opposite as it took them just over four minutes to take the lead.

Exploding on the fast break from Colton Yellow Horn’s pass, Mathieu Roy drove at the Storm net before releasing a backhand shot through the arm of Jason Bacashihua.

Minutes later, it could easily have been two. Another fast break, this time from the left side saw Guillaume Gauthier place his effort wide of the post as he tried to round the goalie.

This would come back to bite the Clan as the visitors drew level in the 10th minute. Linden Springer’s slapshot was spilled by Shane Starrett, leaving Austin Albrecht to finish into an empty net.

The beginning of the second period proved to be a more difficult one for the Clan as they were pinned back by a threatening Storm offence, with Cody Sol the man of the moment as he produced some important blocks to keep the score level

After finding their spark again, the Clan retook the lead as Roy claimed his second of the night.

Racing down the right, Colin Campbell’s neat pass found Roy lurking in front of goal to dispatch into the Storm net.

After a lengthy video review the Canadian was judged to have remained outside the crease, allowing the goal to be awarded.

With just over six minutes left of the second period, the Clan took full advantage of their powerplay, racing into a two-goal lead.

Collecting the puck ahead of the blue line, Tim Shoup unleashed an unstoppable slapshot giving the Storm goaltender no chance as it nestled into the top shelf.

The third period failed to live up to the action of the second as the Clan held on to claim their first win of 2022, but to work for it, particularly in the final minutes.

Two quick penalties saw Clan have to defend what started out as a six-on-three powerplay, as Storm pulled Bacashihua.

But the home side got through it to hold on for victory and take them back into the play-off places with the victory.

Photos by Al Goold