Cardiff Devils 2 Glasgow Clan 0
Glasgow Clan's recent run of disappointing form continued as title chasing Cardiff Devils shut them out in a 2-0 defeat at the Viola Arena.
It was always going to be a tall order against a side out to clinch what would be a historic third Elite League title in a row, but it was a scoreline that ended another blank weekend in terms of points.
Devils themselves were looking to bounce back after a loss to Sheffield Steelers so their objective was very clear as Pete Russell and his team rolled into town.
Although no goals found their way through to Joel Rumpel and Ben Bowns in both goals, the shot count was even with both goalies dealing with nine apiece.
Devils upped the ante in the second period as Rumpel made some saves to keep the scoreline blank.
An effort from Charles Linglet in the slot was a statement of intent from the home side, while Joey Haddad and Gleason Fournier went close also.
However the Clan goalie couldn't keep it going as Cardiff finally made the breakthrough as Mike Hedden nudged the puck to the inside left, where Sean Bentivoglio rifled a diagonal low shot into the net.
Tyson Wilson had a double effort shortly after, but Bowns was in stubborn mood as he cleaned up at the back, doing the same to deny Brendan Connolly as the Devils net remained unblemished.
Matt Stanisz was in the penalty box for tripping when the home side doubled their lead on the powerplay and it was a well worked move.
Linglet fired a chance in from the face off circle that got a touch from Stephen Dixon on the way, diverting it beyond Rumpel to make it 2-0.
Connolly went close with a chance at the back post a few minutes as Clan tried to get back into the game, but again, found Bowns on top form.
Then the Devils netminder made a terrific save with six minutes to go, with Glasgow on a five-on-three powerplay as Scott Pitt was played in by Matt Beca, but an excellent save from Bowns denied the visitors.
In the end, it wasn't to be as Clan left with 2-0 loss, with both teams meeting again in a televised clash at Braehead Arena on Wednesday.