HEARTBREAK Play-off dream is in tatters after defeat
Craig Ritchie
Braehead Clan’s season came to a grinding halt as Dundee Stars ended their play- off dreams.
A 6- 1 aggregate defeat over the course of the weekend saw Stars book their spot in the end of season final four in Nottingham at Clan’s expense.
Having been blown away by the Stars at the Dundee Ice Arena the previous evening, Ryan Finnerty’s side knew they would have to storm out of the traps in the opening exchanges to have any hope of pulling themselves back into contention.
But it was the Clan who had to weather some early pressure as the Stars went in search of the goal that would kill off the tie.
The defence managed to do their job, allowing Clan to get themselves back into the game.
And Craig Peacock was first to force Stars netminder Joe Fallan into a save with a strong effort.
Clan stopper Michal Zajkowski also had to be on his toes as he succesfully blocked a powerful effort from Scott Brannon, before Kyle Wharton saw his effort saved by Fallon at the other end of the ice.
The action continued to flow thick and fast, with Zajkowski again keeping the scoring down by blocking Kevin Bruijsten after he was teed up by Cole Tanaka.
The second period started with the visitors again piling on the pressure with Justin Faryna going close, only to see his strike blocked. Brett Switzer then saw an effort blocked by Zajkowski as the tension continued to build inside the arena.
Braehead enjoyed more of the possession in the opposition end, but just couldn’t find a way through as Fallon and his defence stayed strong.
But the Clan defence was unable to match its opposition’s efforts as the deadlock was finally broken, with Faryna turning home a Bruijsten effort from in front of the crease to put Dundee ahead on the scoreboard.
Clan piled forward in attempt to get themselves level on the night as shots flew towards goal from Harry Quast, Peacock and Stefan Della Rovere – but the scoreline remained the same with Fallon able to deal with the danger.
And their lack of cutting edge came back to bite them as Dundee got the goal required to kill off the tie as a contest, with Joey Sides converting a solo effort to seal the aggregate win.
Sides, the Stars captain, then turned provider to tee up Kevin Hart, who smashed a shot beyond Zajkowski to end Clan’s campaign end in disappointing fashion.