Clan lose on home ice to the Blaze

Credit: Al Goode

Clan lose on home ice to the Blaze


Glasgow Clan's winning streak was halted at eight as they suffered defeat in a nail biting thriller against the Coventry Blaze.

In a first period full of goals it was the Clan who got things underway. A shot from Craig Peacock was spilled by Jamie Phillips and Matt Heywood was there to open the scoring at 1:55. However the Clan would not hold the lead for long.

The Blaze came to Glasgow in a game mood and contributed to a fantastic opening period. Luke Ferrara had his team back on level terms after a clever tip in front of net directed the puck past Patrick Killeen.

The Blaze levelled the score at 8:09 but the Clan were back in front just over three minutes later. A smart bit of play from Nolan LaPorte to win the puck back in the Blaze zone. LaPorte then played a perfect pass to Roy who was waiting at the back post to make it 2-1.

The Blaze came roaring back again and it was a fine finish from Evan Bloodoff for the equaliser. An unstoppable shot past the helpless Killeen at 13:24.

Despite the number of goals, there was some fine goaltending to stop the scoreline being even higher. However, Phillips will be disappointed with himself when he was caught out for the Clan's third and Roy's second to put the Clan 3-2 ahead at 18:

It looked like there just wasn't enough time on the clock as Mikael Lidhammar skated towards the Blaze goal. But Lidhammar managed to beat the buzzer and Phillips at 19:59 to make the score 4-2 Clan at the end of the first period.

The Clan would have expected a response from the Blaze, and so it turned out to be and we were level again inside five minutes of the second period. Andrew Johnston and Dillion Lawrence made it 4-4.

However the Clan would take the lead into the third period after a somewhat fortuitous fifth goal. Rasmus Bjerrum was credited with the goal after the puck was inadvertently knocked into the net by a Blaze player. No one inside the arena was complaining as the scoreboard now read 5-4 to the Clan.

The final period was full of goals and controversy as Coventry turned things around in their favour. The game looked to be ticking away to a Clan victory when two goals in quick succession saw the Blaze in front. Ross Venus first scored a controversial equaliser as the Clan claimed for goaltender interference and then Bloodoff fired his team in front 21 seconds later.

More penalties proved to be crucial as Travis Ehrhardt receiving a 2+2 for roughing saw the Clan up against a 5-on-3 Blaze Power Play. John Curran took advantage and put his side 7-5 ahead.

Roy then completed his hat-trick to give the Clan hope but Johnston responded immediately to round off the scoring and an 8-6 victory for the Coventry Blaze