Hat-trick of defeats puts Clan under pressure
BThe Glasgow side recorded a hat-trick of defeats in as many days against Sheffield Steelers and the Belfast Giants as John Tripp’s side continue to struggle.
A point was garnered in the first two matches of the weekend as both home games went to overtime. On Friday Sheffield won 4-3 while 24 hours later Belfast left the Braehead Arena with a similar scoreline.
However, things took a turn for the worse last night with a trip down to the Motorpoint Arena as the Steelers meted out a bruising 6-0 thumping to leave Clan languishing at the wrong end of the Elite League table.
Gary Russell started in nets as coach Tripp made some changes to try to get the best out of his team, but it didn’t quite go to plan and the Scots goalie was tested with efforts from Ben O’Connor and Robert Dowd.
Matthieu Roy went close with a rebound, but again Russell was quick to plunge low and cover to prevent a Steelers marker.
However the seal was broken as Liam Kirk set up Andreas Jämtin, who tapped in to give the home side the lead.
Joonas Ronnberg blasted one from the blue line a couple of minutes later to double their lead, but they added a quick third immediately after.
Roy got the assist as John Armstrong added Steelers’ third to give Paul Thompson’s side a three-goal cushion by the end of the first.
Both teams couldn’t find the net in the second period, but Ervins Mustukovs had to make the save from a Mike Embach wrist shot, which was the pick of the Clan chances.
Steelers extended their lead again with another finish from Armstrong, who sent his shot into the roof of the net to all but clinch the two points.
Then Matt Marquardt finished off a fifth before Andre Deveaux made it 6-0 from close range as the night ended in defeat for Clan away from home.
Braehead hit the road next week - travelling to Edinburgh and Nottingham - before returning to Braehead Arena on November 12 to face Guildford Flames, who are set to make their first appearance in Glasgow.