Keith buoyed by early Clan win

BRAEHEAD Clan captain Matt Keith is encouraged by his side’s solid start ahead of a huge EIHL campaign.

The Glasgow side may still be just under two weeks away from their opening match against Fife Flyers, but they already put down a marker as they gear up for the new season.

Only nine players in Saturday’s 5-2 Aladdin Cup win at Nottingham Panthers had previously appeared in purple. Despite that, it didn’t stop them putting in a stunning showing ahead of this weekend’s friendly double-header with the Belfast Giants.

Captain Keith is now going into his third term as a Clansman and is delighted with how those around him – both new and old – are settling in.

He said: “We’re not doing anything crazy and it’s all pretty standard, but gives a framework from which to build off.

“In our own way, it helps to get you ready for the new season in what you want to do and we just went out and played, doing the things to help push yourself.

“Everyone was going to be rusty after not playing for four months, but it was good for us. The win was nice and we get to regroup before we head into our second week.

“There were some guys that left, which was tough to see move on, but we’ve brought in guys to fulfil different roles. The first impression was certainly a good one for me.

“You certainly can’t read too much into it. It wasn’t so much about a win or a loss, but more about working on the things that Finner [head coach Ryan Finnerty] has wanted to work on in the first few days of training.

“It’s the first game of pre-season with a new team in a new season and we’re starting from the bottom and working our way up.”