Clan edge Flames in Thriller
A big save from Aspray Glasgow West sponsored Glasgow Clan goalie Shane Starrett at the end made sure the team kept the two points in a 4-3 victory against Guildford Flames.
After a couple of disappointing performances, Clan showed what they were really about as they looked full of vigour and determination, although Ian Watters’ early attempt, which the post, was a cause for concern.
Malcolm Cameron’s men got over that and scored the opening goal after five minutes when Cody Sol’s shot was parried away by Flames goalie Kevin Lindskoug.
Rodney Southam was in the right spot to sweep in the rebound to give the home side an early lead.
Clan’s scorer was in the thick of the action shortly after when a two-on-one break saw he and Matt Haywood combine, with the former sending his shot over.
Glasgow grew into the game, with Mitch Jones executing a sublime one-time finish after Colin Campbell got away from his tracker to send a pinpoint pass to the D-man to tee it up.
Flames took advantage of a slip when Tristan Frei charged out of their defensive zone, with Jamal Watson set up by Robert Lachowicz to finish five-hole shorthanded for the visitors.
Colton Yellow Horn got his second goal in two nights when he fired in at the near post as Clan enjoyed another good spell of possession.
Then Mitch Jones was unlucky to hit the post as he scorched one in from the blue line as Clan enjoyed a productive powerplay.
Flames got themselves to within one in third period as Chris Gerrie picked up the puck from the left, taking advantage of a Beukeboom slip, but saw his initial effort stopped by Starrett.
it came loose, allowing the Guildford to tuck it away and the game was on a knife edge again.
Dyson Stevenson and Kyle Locke exchanged fists shortly after to get the home crowd on their feet again before LaPorte took advantage of a slack pass by Watson to deliver a fourth goal.
Jake Bolton’s powerful effort flew into the net as Flames crept closer again in the final stages and it was his chance at the end that Starrett took care to ensure Clan moved from the bottom of the Premier Sports Elite League table as they sealed victory.