Clan edge ahead in play-off race
Capitals convincingly beaten
Braehead Clan ........ 7 Edinburgh Capitals .2
Craig Ritchie
Brendan Brooks fired home a hat- trick as Braehead Clan eased to a comfortable 7-2 win over struggling Edinburgh Capitals.
John Tripp’s side headed into the clash full of confidence following Saturday’s 5- 2 win over Sheffield Steelers, and they followed it up with two more points to open up a lead over Coventry Blaze in the race for the play-offs.
However, it looked like it was going to be a tricky start for the hosts as the Caps raced into the lead inside the opening minute. Mike Cazzola was the man getting the final touch on a blueline effort from Mike D’Orazio to put the visitors in front.
Dillon Lawrence then hit the post as Edinburgh cranked up the pressure, but Clan were working their way into the game before equalising after 13 minutes.
Tyler Shattock brought the puck into the danger zone, and with the Caps scrambling to block the Clan man, the puck eventually fell to Brooks in front of the crease and the experienced forward to apply the finish.
Clan then went ahead just over a minute later when Jacob Doty sent a low pass to Adam Brace at the blue line and he sent an unstoppable effort beyond Edinburgh goalkeeper Jordan McLaughlin.
Chances continued to come thick and fast for Shattock, Cameron Burt and Brooks but the trio were unable to add to the tally, while Igor Valeyev went close at the other end of the ice.
But Michal Gutwald’s shot with seconds to play of the first opened up a two-goal advantage after he was teed by Robbie Lepine behind the goal line.
Clan continued to dominate in the second period, with Landon Oslanski striking the post with an effort before slotting home his own rebound.
The visitors immediately hit back when Lawrence slotted into the far corner after cutting across from the righ-hand side.
But Braehead continued to pile forward and Cameron Burt restored the three- goal lead when he converted on the powerplay.
Brooks then got his second of the night when he drifted in from the left, rounding the keeper and tapping home to make it 6-2. And he soon completed his hat-trick and the rout as Clan sealed a crucial victory.