REPORT: Super Starrett stops Steelers
by Blair McNally
A five-star performance from Shane Starrett ensured the Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan ran out 2-0 victors over the Sheffield Steelers.
Guillaume Gauthier’s first period strike was rounded off by Mathieu Roy’s empty netter, nine seconds from time, to ensure the Clan claimed a vital win in their search for a strong play-off spot.
A frantic start to the game saw both goalies tested considerably as the game remained goalless, but it was fair to say the Clan had enjoyed the better of the early exchanges.
Clan struck with the opener in the 11th minute as they took advantage of the first powerplay of the game.
A scramble in front of the crease saw the puck at the feet of Guillaume Gauthier, who slammed into an open cage at the back post after he was set up by Nolan LaPorte.
With 30 seconds left in the first Clan’s #24 had a huge chance to double his tally for the night, finding himself clean through on goal, however, he could not capitalise, instead denied by the stretched leg of Barry Brust.
The second period proved a very different affair to the first as the Clan had to go defensive for much of it, but won a lot of little battles in doing so.
Starrett was the star of the show once again, producing a number of outstanding saves. The pick of the bunch coming with a fine glove save to prevent Martin Latal who looked destined to score.
He proved himself to be on top of his game, dealing with a few rebounded efforts and doing what needed done in preserving the Clan net.
Both teams searched for the vital goal in third, Starrett once again produced the heroics as Steelers just couldn’t find a way through.
With a minute remaining, Brust was pulled as Sheffield went for it, but Mathieu Roy took full advantage of the empty net, sealing the win with nine seconds remaining for a goal against his old team.
Rodney Southam then got into a supposed fight with Tommaso Traversa that left the Italian on the ground before he could properly lay a punch.
But the night belonged to Malcolm Cameron’s men, as momentum builds to the final weekend of the regular season.
Photos by Al Goold
WATCH: Post game reaction of head coach Malcolm Cameron
