Panthers tamed by Purple Army
Glasgow Clan had a shocking start to their match with the Nottingham Panthers but head coach Jason Morgan says that’s just hunky-dory given the team’s response afterwards as they smashed nine past their Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) opponents.
After conceding in the opening 30 seconds, the fans packed inside the Braehead Arena must have been fearing the worst – but an impressive attacking display inspired the crowd to sing “stand up for the Glasgow Clan”, echoing it around the rink in the closing minutes of the tie.
Morgan said his team is free to concede straight from the face-off in every match so long as they follow it up like they did on Saturday when they claimed the biggest win of his tenure as Clan chief.
Speaking to club media after the game, he said: “I was joking with the guys after if they want to give up a goal 30 seconds in but have that response every game I’ll be fine with it. They responded great.”
It was Hugo Roy who put the visitors in front after just 22 seconds.
Phillipe Sanche levelled for Clan on the powerplay. “That was huge for us,” said Morgan, the pivotal goal allowing Clan back into the game.
They weren’t out of the woods yet though with Alexander Lunsjo’s shot being deflected into the Clan net to put the Panthers back in front.
“We go down to 2-1 after the first but I thought our second period was our best,” said Morgan. His side levelled in the second period through Alex Roach scoring his first goal for the Clan with a slapshot from the blue line.
Captain Dyson Stevenson then put Clan in front, rebounding Robert Lachowicz’s shot past Panthers netminder Stojanovic.
Matt Berry would add two goals to the Clan’s tally before the end of the second period to give Morgan’s side a 5-2 lead going into the final period.
“We really ramped up our attention to details and our mindset,” said Morgan of his side’s improved second period performance.
In the third, Clan would net four more times. Sanche got his second of the match just 49 seconds in.
Bryce Reddick would give his teammates a bit of extra fire in their bellies for the final portion of the game after dropping gloves with Panthers player
Jordan Kelsall, something Morgan said he was pleased to see.
“I love the spark [Bryce] Reddick gave us there in the third, dropping the glove, it was good for the guys,” he said.
That’s despite Nottingham scoring their third of the match shortly after the incident. The result, however, was never in doubt by that point and, just to hammer home their superiority, Jordan Cownie swiftly added an eighth Clan goal on the following play.
Nate Kallen would add the glorious ninth to spur the fans into jubilation.
“All round, top to bottom, it was a great performance,” said Morgan. “It’s awesome, I think that’s what they’ve [the fans] been longing for.
“It’s been tough with the unfortunate injuries that keep happening but other guys stepped in and played a huge role tonight.”
The celebrations were short-lived with the Clan becoming unstuck on Tayside the following day, losing 7-3 to Dundee Stars who moved three points ahead of them with the win.
Clan currently occupy eight place in the EIHL.
Morgan’s men play ninth-placed Fife Flyers at the Braehead Arena from 7.30pm tomorrow night.
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