GLASGOW, UK – Sheffield Steelers return south as only the second team to win in Glasgow this season, after a gutsy performance earned a 4-2 victory over Braehead Clan. Buoyed by a noisy crowd and full of confidence after seven wins from eight home games, the hard-hitting Clan were never likely to roll over against title-chasing Steelers. An open first period saw chances at both ends, with big hits and fast skating creating gaps at the back. Goaltenders Jaakko Suomalainen and John DeCaro were repeatedly called into action, each making a series of fine stops to keep the game scoreless at the first interval. Clan chief Drew Bannister may have been more disappointed with the scoreline than Steelers boss Ryan Finnerty, as the home side failed to convert any of three powerplays in the opening 15 minutes. Sheffield’s first powerplay opportunity only came in the final minute of the period, and within twenty seconds they had a two man advantage. Clan’s penalty-killers got them to the break unscathed but a Steelers goal seemed inevitable and the thin white defensive line was breached just 33 seconds after the restart, when player-coach Finnerty tucked the puck home from left of the crease. Jeff Legue doubled the visitors’ lead on 24:26 only seconds after a Clan equaliser was ruled out: Jade Galbraith judged to have kicked the puck into the net after a tussle with goaltender DeCaro. The quick turnaround in fortune seemed to silence the crowd and stun the Braehead players, with Sheffield putting the game beyond doubt moments later. On 26:51 Jeff Legue bagged his second and Sheffield’s third after Ashley Tait drew the Clan defencemen to the right wing. Tait spotted Legue unmarked at the back post and cleverly squared the puck when everyone expected a shot, leaving the Ontarian to tap home from inches out. At times this season Braehead have undoubtedly made life difficult for themselves , missing chances and conceding too many penalties at crucial times. Head coach Bannister was not enjoying his greatest night on the ice and just seconds after missing a one-on-one he found himself in the penalty box for interference. Galbraith blasted the puck into the crowd almost straight from the face-off, gifting Sheffield their second two man advantage of the game. Clan’s three skaters held out for over a minute but everyone knew a fourth goal was coming, and on 35:47 Legue completed his hat-trick to put the result beyond doubt. It came in controversial circumstances as the goal frame had seemed to move off its pegs before the puck crossed the line. A chorus of boos rang around the Braehead Arena and Clan goaltender Suomalainen’s protests saw him given a ten minute misconduct penalty, but the goal stood. With the game clearly over as a contest the third period started slowly and there were few chances. Clan enforcer Kyle Bruce was given a four minute major and a match penalty on 50:01, for a check to the head of Colt King. The decision energised a crowd already angered by refereeing calls, and spurred the Braehead players into action.Dogged defending saw Clan successfully kill a third five-on-three powerplay, and the home side even managed to score their first goal of the night while still shorthanded. Mike Bayrack fired the puck high into the net with an unassisted goal on 53:13. Clan were determined to finish on a high note and camped out in the Sheffield defensive zone for the remainder of the game. They struck the post in the final minute but recovered possession, allowing Bayrack to steer the puck past DeCaro 16 seconds before full time. Sheffield’s win was hard-fought but justly deserved. Their penalty-killers defied Braehead on eight of nine powerplays, while the Steelers’ offence took their chances when it mattered. Clan have the ability and grit to cause any team in the league problems, and title-chasers Coventry and Belfast have already come unstuck in Glasgow. Sheffield will be happy with a well earned two points, though Braehead will feel another scalp was there for the taking – if only they could keep their players on the ice. Contact the author Comment@Prohockeynews.com
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