Clan clinch Gardiner Conference with last-game thriller over Capitals

YOU are reluctant to call anything in sport a dead cert. Having said that, on paper at least, Braehead Clan’s visit to Murrayfield last night was about as close as you are going to get.

Going into the final EIHL game of the season against an Edinburgh Capitals team that were bottom, had lost their last 19 games – including Saturday’s 8-1 hammering in Glasgow – and had nothing to play for, the obstacle in the way of Ryan Finnerty’s team and the Gardiner Conference title was certainly not insurmountable.

The team from the west rarely make things easy for themselves, though, and this 6-3 triumph was certainly no different. At the same venue that they effectively let their title grip slip last season on the penultimate weekend, they twice were pegged back in a fiery encounter before a third-period flurry sealed the victory.

It means Braehead retain the conference but, more importantly, receive third seeding in the play-off quarterfinals where they will now go in heavy favourites against Fife Flyers.

Clan only took one minute and fifty one seconds to get the purple party started. In the wake of a scrappy opening, a neat move from the visitors saw the puck shifted to Jamie Fritsch, who slammed a ferocious shot beyond Craig Mallinson from the blue line.

With eight minutes left in the period it was two, this time it was former Elmira Jackal Thomas Nesbitt who provided the finish as he slotted away a neat shot following strong build up play.

For all Clan’s domination, they weren’t completely without their worries at the back and with five minutes remaining in the first, Garret Milan snuck inside to squeeze the puck past Chris Holt at the near post.

Within five minutes of the second period, it was all square. With Braehead a man down on the power play, Nikita Kolesnikovs hammered a thundering shot from the blue line past Holt to tie the game. Clan regained the lead just four minutes before the final break as Marcus Gotz hooked the puck over the line after a stramash.

It should have put Clan on the path to 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. email: sport@theherald.co.uk. Tel 0141 302 7156

Sports editor Graham Shields / Deputy sports editor Gordon Stevenson an easy third period but the Capitals came back for a second time as Garratt squeaked a shot past Holt on the powerplay.

However, Braehead were not to suffer heartache as they did 12 months ago. A quick interchange with just under 10 minutes was eventually worked to Scotty Pitt for the Ottowa man to score from close in.

There was still time for captain Matt Keith and Alex Leavitt to get in on the act and hook the puck by Mallinson, reigniting the celebbrations for the 1000 Braehead fans in the stands.