Braehead Clan 4 Coventry Blaze 2

The Clan made it three wins, out of three on home ice, with this victory against the Blaze. Mike Bayrack making his home debut was the game winner with the Clan’s third goal.

Only the one goal separated the teams in the first session and it came the way of the home side at 7.29 from Brock McPherson. It was a session that saw Blaze goaltender Hirsch face only two shots and was unfortunate enough to let one of the in to give the home side the lead.

Inside the first minute of the second period Braehead player/coach Drew Bannister doubled his sides lead with a 5 on 3 powerplay goal timed at 20.56. Two goals from the visitors 78 seconds apart brought the game all square as Shea Guthrie at 25.47 quickly followed by a strike from Greg Owen at 27.05.

With no further scoring, the teams went in after twenty minutes tied at two apiece.

That quickly changed as Mike Bayrayck fired in the game winner at 40.47. Jade Galbraith then got his first goal for his new club at 48.50.

The home side looked to have the game sewn up as they had the puck in the net for a fifth time at 51.28. The goal was washed out as game winner Bayrack was assessed a five for elbows plus a game misconduct.

On the resulting 5 minute powerplay the Blaze were unable to breach the Clan rear guard. Two minutes after the penalty expired Blaze pulled goaltender Hirsch for the extra skater but even that failed as the Clan held out to take the points.

Period Scores: 1-0, 1-2, 2-0
Penalty Mins: Bra 45 – Cov 6
Powerplay: Bra 1/2 – Cov 0/5
Shots On: Jaakko Suomalainen 25 / Peter Hirsch 11

Referee: Michael Hicks