Charlie Combs returned to haunt his old team, but Darien Craighead’s winning penalty shot secured both points for Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, as they edged a thriller against Dundee Stars.
After sharing three goals each and a 14-shot shootout, Clan held their nerve to come from behind and move up the standings to fifth place to start 2024 on a winning note.
Clan went on the offensive in the opening frame with Cody Sol stinging Dundee goalie Kevin Carr’s gloves in the opening minute before Jake Elmer tested Clan’s Antti Karjalainen at the other end.
Gary Haden was impeded by Elijah Vilio as he was clear through on goal, which resulted in a penalty shot.
Carr stood up well to deny Glasgow’s top scorer an early goal as the Stars prevented that early scare, but the visitors did finally go in front just over the halfway mark of the period.
Charlie Combs played assist maker as he set up Haden with a clever pass that saw the #23 find a gap on Carr’s left to get them that opening marker.
It was Combs who added a second on the powerplay as he tucked it in from in front of the paint, with Haden helping the former Dundee man out this time.
The Stars hit back a couple of minutes later when James Phelan found Chris McKay on the doorstep and he bundled in from close range.
Stars pulled level in the second period as Karjalainen made a save from Spencer Naas, but Ryan Valentini was quickly on to it to finish the equaliser.
But Combs and former team-mate Drydn Dow came to blows shortly after when the Dundee man appeared to drag Clan’s forward to the ice.
The home side went on the powerplay and got their reward as Brendan Harms finished from out in front as Valentini made the assist, giving them a lead before the second interval.
The game was on a knife edge in the final period with goalies making some big saves, including Carr denying Haden on a breakaway chance.
Clan finally pulled level when Combs got his second with a well struck shot into the top right hand corner after good interplay between Luke Lynch and Haden, with just under nine minutes to go.
Darien Craighead nearly nicked a winner with 40 seconds remaining, but Carr saw it quickly to make the cover as the contest moved into overtime.
Both sides couldn’t be separated until Craighead scored the crucial penalty shot, with Karjalainen denying Valentini to ensure a victory on Tayside for Jason Morgan’s men.
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