Steelers beat Clan on a night of controversy

Braehead Clan 2 Sheffield Steelers 4

What a whirlwind (and injury-laden) time it’s been for the Braehead Clan since my last report a mere fortnight ago!

Sammy Zajac is still out of action following his concussion two weeks back – and Doucet’s ban has been lifted following the EIHL looking further into the incident. It makes me feel a little guilty considering my accusatory tone towards the Giants player, but hey, I have to look out for my boys!

Mike Will got caught with a high stick the following night in Cardiff, leaving his face swollen and bruised – but thankfully did not sustain a serious injury.

The Clan were also without key player Vince Connon for this fixture against Sheffield.

It would prove to be a controversial, penalty-ridden game; referee Andy Carson certainly didn’t make any new friends on his first trip to Braehead Arena.

The game kicked off in a high gear, the action flying from one end to the other. Braehead managed to avoid conceding early on, which seemed to bolster their confidence. Unfortunately, their injury woes increased as captain Krestanovich was taken off the ice.

Sheffield were prone to silly decisions, giving the Clan three powerplays in the first period. The home side failed to convert, however – at times it felt like the Steelers were still at full-strength even when down to four players.

Needless to say, Braehead’s powerplay is in dire need of improvement. When you have a man advantage against a team the calibre of Sheffield, you really need to make it count.

The visitors started the second period with a 2-man advantage and Ryan Finnerty quickly made it count, scoring 33 seconds in.

Soon after, Braehead were given a goal but Andy Carson reversed his decision following complaints from Steelers players claiming the puck had been kicked in to the net. It would be the first of many moments where the home crowd and players would voice their contention.

Two Steelers goals followed in quick succession, both scored by Jeff Legue and assisted by Ashley Tait and Tom Squires. This offensive barrage took the fight out of the home side, and a series of penalty calls caused further frustration.

Sheffield scored their fourth of the night on a 5-on-3 powerplay, but it was another controversial call: Clan netminder Jaakko Suomalainen was insistent that his net had come off its moorings (a problem that did occur at that side of the rink, repeatedly, over the course of the game).

Despite complaints from the Clan players, Carson allowed the goal. In protest, Suomalainen shoved the net off its moorings at the restart of the game, earning himself a 10-minute game misconduct that was served by Ryan Campbell.

Perhaps not the wisest decision, but completely understandable given the seemingly inconsistent calls from the referee. It may have earned him the penalty, but it also caused one of the biggest uproars of support from the Clanfans in attendance.

Halfway through the third period, Kyle Bruce was ejected from the game with a match penalty following a check to the head of Colt King. It left King bleeding and both men rearing to fight, but referee intervention stopped any brawling.

The third period proved more fruitful on Braehead’s goal front, at least. An incredibly on-form Mike Bayrack racked up an unassisted, shorthanded goal, and followed it up with a powerplay goal in the last minute of play.

And that was that. A deserved victory for Sheffield, but it’s unfortunate that what was gearing up to be a classic game was tarnished by a number of contentious penalty calls on both teams. It would be interesting to see how much time was spent with both teams at full-strength – there seemed to be an endless stream of powerplays throughout the night.

Hockey referees – as in all sports – have to maintain a degree of professionalism at all times. Andy Carson waving to booing Clanfans was an example of how not to conduct yourself as an official.

Far be it from me to suggest that Carson was the reason Braehead lost – Sheffield were clearly the better team on the night. But it’s disappointing that a great hockey game was repeatedly hindered by contentious decisions.

Referee: Andy Carson
Period Scores: 0-0 / 0-4 / 2-0
Powerplay: Braehead 1/9, Sheffield 2/7
Penalty Mins: Braehead 47, Sheffield 18

MoM: Braehead – #9 Mike Bayrack, Sheffield – #11 Jeff Legue