Clan win crucial two points

Glasgow Clan remain in the play-off spots ahead of the end of the regular season after claiming two points out of a possible four at the weekend.

The Purple Army inside Braehead Arena on Friday night were treated to a cracking match featuring 13 goals as the Dundee Stars were downed 8-5.

Clan stormed into battle furiously, nabbing a goal in the opening minute through Mike Pelech and continued to blow their opponents away in the first period, scoring three more, through Gary Haden, Jake Bolton and Matt Barry.

The onslaught did not stop in the second – Philippe Sanche scoring to make it 5-0.

Anthony Rinaldi pulled one back for the Stars to give them a glimpse of hope but Charlie Combs dashed any thought of a comeback, making it 6-1, before captain Dyson Stevenson made it 7-1 to leave the Stars seeing stars.

In the third period, Elijah Vilio gave the away fans something to celebrate; scoring to make it 7-2.

Spencer Naas and Chris McKay added a third and fourth for the Stars, leaving the home support’s nerves on edge as Drydn Dow made it 7-5 but a late Robert Lachowicz goal wrapped things up.

Speaking after Friday’s match, relieved Clan head coach Jason Morgan said: “It didn’t need to be that close at the end, it was 7-1 with 11 minutes left.

“We’ve got to learn to close out teams better than that and play within our structure right to the end.

“But it’s obviously two points for our team.

“It’s so tight there at the bottom of the standings and two points are crucial right now.”

Clan were unable to follow up the win in Surrey the following day against Guildford Flames – beaten convincingly 7-1.

That result leaves them on 47 points and in seventh place in the Elite Ice Hockey League table with just five games remaining before the top eight feature in the play-offs.

Beat the Stars again when they faceoff at the Braehead Arena once more this Friday at 7.30pm and the Clan will fancy their chances of making it to the play-offs.

 All pictures by Al Goold Photo.

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