A result that helped no one was how Glasgow Clan and Sheffield Steelers’ thoroughly exciting game ended on Sunday afternoon at Braehead Arena.
An overtime win meant the Clan finished eighth, as they were unable to take victory in regulation, while Sheffield ended fourth by only picking up a point.
“It’s a great feeling, we were really playing some great hockey tonight and I think that the win really brought us together as team,” said Clan’s Mick Messner, who hit the OT winner. “The boys really pulled off some great saves and kept us in the game. I think that really rallied us and pushed us to play better as a team.”
The Steelers and Clan played out a tight, physical opening frame with limited clear chances, as both sides looked to establish control in the final game of the regular season. A late penalty to Mitchell Heard gave Clan a powerplay opportunity, but the period remained scoreless.
The deadlock was finally broken late in the second period when Tristin Langan finished from Brayden Burke and Brett Neumann to give Clan a 1-0 lead. Clan were tested early with a penalty to Chris McKay, but their penalty kill held firm to keep Sheffield off the board heading into the third.
Dominic Cormier hit the post early in period three before Brayden Burke got on a rebound to put Clan two ahead at 46:44. Brien Diffley pulled one back a minute later, before there was late drama. Stephen Harper tipped Jordon Southorn’s shot past Sami Aittokallio with 2:53 to go, with the goal confirmed after a video review.
Clan pulled Aittokallio with two minutes left and pushed for the regulation win they needed. Cade Neilson and Tristin Langan both came close, but the final buzzer sounded with the teams level after 60 minutes.
Overtime was won by a snipe from Mick Messner while former Clan forward Mitchell Heard was in the box, giving Glasgow the win on the final day.
“We’re feeling good. We played some good hockey tonight, the way we should’ve and we’re all feeling confident going into the playoffs, no matter who we’re going to play. I think that tonight gave us a big boost and we’ll carry that into next weekend” concluded Messner.
Photo: Al Goold
