Braehead oust Dundee in a closely contested game
Braehead Clan 5 – 4 Dundee Stars
There were plenty of goals but little to get pulses truly racing in this inter-Scottish game.
The first period of play saw momentum shift from one side to the other: Braehead would ramp things up for a while, then Dundee would take control and pile on pressure, then back again.
Braehead took a very early lead after about 90 seconds as Mike Bayrack passed to Brock McPherson who was right in front of goal and buried the puck. Dundee’s Mark Kolanos soon brought things level, the team’s persistence in finding an equaliser eventually paying off.
The second of the Clan’s goals (and the first of his eventual hat-trick) came as Bayrack blasted a shot off of Whitley’s pads, only to collect his own rebound and deposit the puck in the net. But Dundee equalised again a few minutes later following a relentless power play which saw Jeff Hutchins net the goal.
With seconds remaining in the period, Jim Jorgensen worked his way through the Stars’ defence and fired the puck into the top of the net, giving the Clan a one-goal lead in a very close opening period.
Unfortunately for fans of both teams, things would get decidedly less enthralling as the game progressed.
Braehead extended their lead shortly into the second period, with McPherson, Wirll and Bayrack collaborating again to build a convincing attack on goal. Dundee went on the power play shortly after, but this time lacked the conviction that provided their first goal. Braehead killed the penalty with minimal effort.
Dundee’s misfortunes continued as McPherson fired a pass from behind their goal to Bayrack who was lying in wait. Whitley had no chance of saving the shot, and it seemed like the game was wrapped up before the third period was even underway, the home side leading 5 – 2.
The Stars did appear to have a fire lit under them going into the third; they successfully killed off a 5-on-3 power play and managed to pull back 2 goals, but it was too little too late. Their last goal came with only 4 seconds remaining on the clock: a consolation prize for A.J. MacLean to cap off a close game.
Some home fans may have booed referee Andy Carson when his name was announced prior to the game, but unlike his infamous debut appearance at Braehead, there can be no doubting his officiating during this fixture. There were no contentious decisions to be seen throughout the night.
New Clan signing Mike Wirll made it clear why some fans are excited about him: in addition to providing 3 assists to the home side’s goal tally, he consistently displayed flashy stickwork and a cool and collected demeanor under pressure.
Referee: Andy Carson
Period Scores: 3-2 / 2-0 / 0-2
Power Play: Braehead 0/3 / Dundee 1/2
Penalty Mins: Braehead 4 / Dundee 6
MoM: Braehead #15 Jim Jorgensen / Dundee #9 Brent Hughes