Clan 4 - Coventry Blaze 3
February 18, 2012
Clan moved to within a point of Blaze in the battle for fifth spot after this home win by the odd goal in seven, although the win was perhaps a little more comfortable that it looked with Robert Farmer grabbing the visitors third goal with only 5 seconds remaining.
A fifth successive win for Drew Bannister’s side but a third straight loss for Blaze as things get pretty tight in that race for fourth to sixth in the standings.
Although the visitors started quite brightly they were hit by EIHL scorer Jade Galbraith at his offensive best as the puck was dispatched past Peter Hirsch twice by the Clan number 13 at 6.26 and 11.04, these being the only counters of a pretty open first session.
Blaze came right back into the game in the early stages of the second period and were rewarded by goals from the impressive Shea Guthrie at 23.24 and Dustin Wood at 27.11 for equality before the home side moved up a gear and took advantage of some slack defence to regain their two goal advantage with strikes by player/coach Drew Bannister at 31.59 and Matt Haywood at 37.00.
The third period was again end to end but both defences repelled all that was fired in their direction until at 59.55 Robert farmer flicked the puck into the roof of the Clan net for what was only a consolation goal for his side.
Period Scores: 2-0, 2-2, 0-1
Penalty Mins: Bra 8 – Cov 30
Powerplay: Bra 0/2 – Cov 0/3
Shots On: Jaakko Suomalainen 31 – Peter Hirsch 30
Referee: Moray Hanson
