EIHL Preview: Clan at Panthers – 5 October 2013

Panthers face sister club Braehead Clan this Saturday for the first time since they lost out on penalty shots in the Aladdin Cup.

The Clan have made changes to the team that saw them finish mid-table last year, Ryan Finnerty was made head coach in the summer having been released from Sheffield Steelers at the end of last season, he signed ex panther Kevin Bergin as his assistant coach.

As well as bringing back a large group of last seasons squad, Finnerty also brought in a new goalie in Kyle Jones, Kenton Smith from Cardiff, Tristan Harper from Dundee and Chris Frank from Sheffield.

Clan parted company with Julien Corriveau back in September due to personal reasons, they have since brought in defence man Ray Macias. Frank will be missing from the Braehead line up this weekend he is currently serving a 5 game ban for head butting, he was thrown out of the game against Fife last weekend.

Panthers will be at full strength this weekend, it is not known though if injury cover Joonas Saari will be playing, after Chris Capraro left training earlier in the week with an injury.

Panthers have won eight out of their last nine games including big wins against Sheffield and Belfast, they will be looking to keep the good run going into this game. their only loss so far this season coming to the inform Dundee stars.

Braehead on the other hand have lost four of their last seven games.Clan have picked up wins against Cardiff, Sheffield and Edinburgh, the latest seeing them shut out the Scottish team. these wins have all come away from home, so the odds may look good for them tomorrow.

As both teams have had time to gel and games under their belts, I predict a win for Panthers tomorrow 4-2.