Boxing Day blues for Braehead Clan

Braehead Clan 2 – 7 Belfast Giants

It may have been Boxing Day, but there was little festive cheer for Braehead Clan in this fixture against league leaders Belfast Giants.

The last time Belfast traveled to Braehead Arena, they suffered an upset as the Clan skated away with a 4-1 victory. It’s not surprising, then, that the Giants took to the ice tonight intent on refusing a repeat performance.

Both goaltenders were tested early on in this game, Jim Jorgensen and Mike Bayrack getting the best chances for the home side but failing to convert. Belfast drew first blood at 7.26 thanks to Graeme Walton, but Jade Galbraith soon equalised on the powerplay: Jorgensen’s assist rocketed through the tangle of Giants and Clan players, and a screened Stephen Murphy was helpless to save the shot.

One marked difference between this fixture and Belfast’s last visit was the dip in aggression from both sides. The only real encounter of note between opposing players involved Darryl Lloyd and Sam Zajac (who seemed the target of much of Belfast’s checking early on in the game); Zajac was quick to throw down his gloves, but Lloyd chose to skate away and avoid the fight.

Belfast reclaimed their lead towards the end of the first thanks to Adam Keefe, and as the period closed it seemed the game could go either way.

The second period is often a stressful time for Clanfans, and tonight was no exception. Despite a strong start from the home side, Belfast quickly gained control of the match. Mere seconds into what would be their sole powerplay, Jeremy Rebek hammered a vicious slapshot into the net. Braehead tried to claw back, with Ryan Campbell and Brock McPherson coming within inches of goals, but to no avail.

Craig Peacock took the scoreline to 4-1 for the visitors after a snappy collaboration with Jon Pelle. Braehead managed to salvage something from the period as Jorgensen scored another powerplay goal, but it was a short-lived celebration as Belfast yet again found the back of the net with what would be the first of Lloyd’s goals.

And so to the third period, and with Belfast enjoying a three-goal lead, the game seemed out of Braehead’s grasp. The Clan players apparently agreed, as all fight had gone out of them. Belfast were able to take their collective foot off the gas pedal, and the result was an exasperating, slow period. The league leaders still managed to rack up another two goals – completing Lloyd’s hat-trick – before the clock signaled the end of the game.

And that was that. A frustrating game for Clan players and fans alike; there was only a difference of four shots on goal between the teams. The real gulf between the teams was in the control of the puck and execution of shots. Braehead were rarely given clear shots on goal thanks to a tight-knit Giants defence, and when they did fire the puck at the net, Murphy was there to make the save.

A lack of aggressiveness let the home side down tonight. With the exception of Zajac and Jorgensen, there was a lack of fire in the team. Factor in some sloppy passing and a jumble of defensive mistakes, and you begin to see how Belfast came to dominate this game.

The line of Krestanovich, Galbraith and Bayrack (nicknamed ‘the KGB line’ by fans) is easily one of the strongest lines in the league but opposing teams are starting to prepare for and counter against it. A reconfiguring of lines may be required in order to throw off opponents in future.

One positive to take away from the Clan’s performance was their powerplay performance. Braehead’s powerplay has been an area of intense scrutiny from fans, so it’s encouraging to see the team starting to put the puck away with the man advantage.

There were a number of humorous moments to cheer up the home crowd and distract from the score line. Not only did three hockey sticks snap in decidedly slapstick fashion throughout the game, but players of both teams (and even an official) tumbled over on the ice. Too much eggnog, perhaps. The highlight of these comic distractions came in the first period when Brock McPherson inadvertently skelped a linesman in the backside with the puck. At times it felt like the PA system should have been playing the Benny Hill theme tune.

All in all, tonight was a painful result for a team that knows it can do better. That being said, the Giants are never an easy opponent, and Clanfans can only hope that the result of such a heavy loss will energise – rather than diminish – the team as they travel over to Belfast for the return leg.

Referee: Moray Hanson

Period Scores: 2-1 / 3-1 / 2-0

Powerplay: Braehead 2/4, Belfast 1/1

Penalty Mins: Braehead 2, Belfast 8

MoM: Braehead – #37 Ryan Campbell, Belfast #72 Darryl Lloyd