Advantage Clan in race for final playoff place

Photo: Flyers Images

Glasgow Clan took a huge step to claiming the final playoff place in the Viaplay Elite League's 2022/23 season with an emphatic 5-1 road win over Scottish rivals Fife, leaving the Flyers three points behind with just one game in hand.

In front of a crowd of over 1,900 fans at the Fife Ice Arena, it was a disastrous opening period for the hosts but a spectacular start for the visitors in a must-win game for each team. Gary Haden put Clan ahead with 7:02 played with a rebound tap in at the back post after good work from John Dunbar. 51 seconds later, Mitch Jones shot through traffic to double their advantage, while only 12:08 had been played when Colton Waltz's shot was deflected past Owen to give Glasgow a three-goal advantage. 

Fife needed to score the next goal to have any hope of getting back into things, but Jones' powerplay marker put Clan four ahead 5:15 into period two.

It got worse for the home side when Brad Kennedy scored 1:49 into the third, a goal confirmed after video review, to make it 5-0. The home side couldn't find a way through on a four-minute 5-on-4 advantage which draw discontent form the Flyers faithful, although Reece Harsch did get them on the board with 9:26 to play. 

That was as good as things got for the hosts as the final minutes were played out with some punches thrown as well.

Glasgow have two games left this season - win both and they make the playoffs. Fife need to pick up four more points than Clan in their last three games.