REPORT: Storm sink Clan with late goals

Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, saw their hopes of a second road win at Manchester Storm dashed as the home side left it late to claim a 4-2 win.

A hectic first period was balanced out by a more balanced final two sessions as the game was on a knife edge for much of the contest.

The opening stanza saw four goals traded between the two teams as an entertaining 20 minutes were played out in front of the Storm Shelter fans.

Although the home side had enjoyed arguably the better of the early exchanges, it was the Clan who took the lead with almost eight minutes played.

Guillaume Gauthier’s effort from the left was blocked by home goalie Jason Bacashihua, coming loose and falling nicely for Nolan LaPorte, who finished from a central position.

Shane Starrett did his reputation no harm at all as he repelled most of what Manchester had to throw at him, including a powerful Tyson Fawcett at the blue line.

However, it wasn’t long before they equalised as Clan’s goalie denied Taylor Thompson with an excellent low save.

But there was no stopping Dallas Ehrhardt’s shot, bringing it in front the right and delivering a powerful drive through the bodies in front and beating Starrett.

Ben Wilson’s careless pass proved costly as Colton Yellow Horn was quickly on to it, teeing up Mathieu Roy, who executed his finish from the slot to restore the lead.

But Storm were back on level terms as Starrett was in top form to deny Ehrhardt and Fawcett with an incredible double save, but could do nothing as Ehrhardt finished off and it was level at 2-2.

Things were much tighter in the second period as Storm created a couple of chances that concerned Starrett, but went wide on both occasions, from Thompson and Frankie Melton.

Adam Brady thought he had added a third for Manchester in front of the crease which meant the referees had to take a look at the video review to be sure, but nothing came of it, to Clan’s relief.

Ryan Finnerty’s side went close in the third as the puck hit the bar and away as both teams started to turn up the heat as the game began to enter its final stages.

Melton tested Starrett with a shot that need the Clan netminder to scoop it out of the air as the prospect of overtime loomed.

However, Manchester managed to finish it in regulation time as Fawcett’s one-timer left Starrett beaten with a couple of minutes to go.

Thompson killed it off with an empty net finish and the points were staying in Altrincham on this occasion.

Photos by Mark Ferriss