Precious victory keeps Clan’s play-off dream alive
Clan gave their EIHL play-off hopes a welcome shot in the arm with an impressive fourpoint weekend haul against two Scottish rivals.
On Saturday night at Braehead Arena, the home side faced off against Fife Flyers, looking to pick up their first win in seven attempts.
Clan captain Craig Peacock had an early scoring opportunity when he was found free at the crease but fired just wide of the net from a tight angle.
Gabriel Chabot and Kevin Massy also came close to opening the scoring early on but couldn’t find a way past Fife goalie Shane Owen.
Flyers were first on the scoreboard as Chris Lawrence tipped Reece Cochrane’s shot just in front of the net to send it high over Ty Taylor.
Clan responded quickly though as Steven McParland stole the puck in the neutral zone and broke one-on-one before rifling into the top corner.
Jordan Cownie had an opportunity shortly after as he found himself free after a slip from Cochrane but could only find the crossbar.
Drew McLean had the first chance of the second period as he fired the puck from the right side, with the shot deflecting off Gary Haden and trickling just wide.
Then Haden got the Braehead Arena rocking with an electric goal at the backdoor after McParland set him up on a five-on-three powerplay.
Taylor continued to impress in the Clan net as he blocked a Bari McKenzie slapshot with a quick pad kick.
Owen also continued his strong performance in the opposition net as he kept out a high number of shots and rebounds in a single passage of play.
McLean came close to scoring once again as he drove on net and fired a backhanded shot at Owen, but the Fife netminder managed to keep it out.
Colton Waltz topped off a fantastic comeback performance with a goal as he launched the puck from his own zone into the empty net.
The visitors responded quickly though as Mikael Johansson put his side back within one with a quick wrist shot from close.
But Clan had the last laugh in the game as Stephen Dixon fired the puck into the empty net once again to seal a hard-fought 4-2 win.
On Sunday, Clan travelled north to the Dundee Ice Arena looking to make it two from two.
Carter Folk had the first chance of the game when he charged at the Clan net and backhanded just wide. Then the crowd thought Ben Sokay had opened the scoring for the Stars, but his backdoor effort narrowly missed.
Clan showed their defensive grit on the penalty kill later in the period as a five-against-five scramble broke out in the crease before Brad Kennedy cleared the puck.
The game turned scrappy towards the end of the first period as McParland and Colton Waltz both got tangled with Cole Fraser and Ian Parker respectively.
Taylor continued his strong performance into the second period as he blocked a left side slapshot from Drydn Dow with his pads.
And Clan finally took the lead in the second period as Jordan Cownie picked up the puck in the Dundee zone and set up Dyson Stevenson for a one-time finish.
Chabot doubled the Clan’s lead later in the period as he rifled the puck into the top corner.
Haden made it 3-0 just 31 seconds into the third period after being set up by McParland to put the Clan on the verge of victory.
Kennedy and Craig Peacock showed their bravery later in the period as they put their bodies on the line to block shots on the penalty kill.
The Stars Sokay fired a low wrist shot past Taylor on the powerplay, but it was a mere consolation as Clan sealed a second win on Tayside this season.
DUNDEE STARS .......................................... 1 GLASGOW CLAN ........................................ 3