Battling Braehead rally to put out Guildford Flames
Clan fight back for victory
Craig Ritchie
Braehead Clan fought back from two down to secure a muchneeded win over Guildford Flames on Sunday evening.
John Tripp’s side had won just one game in their previous six outings prior to welcoming the league’s new franchise to Braehead Arena, leaving them in urgent need of the points following a poor run of form.
It proved to be another tense opening period from Clan, with the game fast descending into a scrappy clash. Neither side was able to break the deadlock however there was chances at both ends of the ice.
Ian Watters should have put the Flames ahead after finding enough time and space to turn near Ryan Nie’s goal, while on the powerplay. He saw his effort blocked as Clan held firm.
Former Clan man Ben Davies was next to chance his luck as his strike cannoned back off of the post a couple of minutes later, though Nie appeared to have the strike covered at his near side.
Next it was the hosts’ turn to pile the pressure on as Bari McKenzie struck wide of the target. Mike Embach was in a position to potentially tuck home the rebound but the puck bounced away from him at the crucual moment.
The English side came out in the second period looking to get themselves in front. And they would do so inside the opening minute as Jesse Craige set up Calle Ackered to slot home the opener.
Guildford then made it 2-0 as Craige got himself on the scoresheet with a onetimer that gave Ryan Nie no chance.
That goal appeared to spark Clan into life, and they soon got themselves back in the game. Brendan Brooks’ diagonal pass across the ice found Tyler Scofield and he poked home beyond Chris Carrozzi to spark the fightback.
The home side soon levelled 47 minutes later when Jacob Doty squeezed the puck home at the near post, assisted by youngster Jordan Buesa.
Christoffer Bjorklund had to leave the game early after sustaining a check that saw Flames’ Mikael Lidhammar get a five plus game penalty for checking to the head.
But the resulting powerplay handed the home side the advantage, with Scofield tapping home the winner.