Clan overcome first leg deficit to make cup semis

Photo: James Assinder

Glasgow Clan overturned a one-goal aggregate deficit on the road to advance to the Challenge cup Semi-Finals, beating Cardiff Devils 3-1 on the night to take a 6-5 overall win.

Whatever Jason Morgan's plan was for the opening period, his Clan side executed it perfectly as they finished the first 20 minutes ahead. The Devils came closest to opening the scoring but Cole Sanford hit the post inside the first five minutes. Gary Haden wrapped-around on Ben Bowns to put the Clan one ahead on the night, and tie the aggregate score, with 7:57 played. That was a chance they were to regret. Reid Petryk had a 1-on-0 saved by an excellent Bowns glove save shortly after, but Clan did take the aggregate lead before the period was out - Jake Bolton shooting from the point through a screen at 13:25 to put Clan 5-4 ahead overall.

The only goal of the middle period went the way of the Devils, setting things up for an all-or-nothing third. Jake Kielly made an excellent save to deny one Devils attach, but with the extra skater out on a delayed penalty Josh Waller showed excellent patience to work himself into a shooting position and find the net on the backhand at 27:41. Cardiff were poor with their powerplay opportunities in the second, and almost conceded shorthanded but for Bowns making another good glove save.

A perfect pass from Reece Kelly found Darien Craighead in front of the Devils net to put Clan back into the aggregate lead 2:01 into period three. From there, the visitors played a tightly-controlled game as they looked to see the game out. Cardiff couldn't take advantage of two further powerplay opportunities in the final period; while a crazy play towards the end of the game saw Bowns called into action to make a double save that denied Clan from settling the tie, before the Devils broke and Kielly came to Clan's rescue.

Bowns was pulled with 25 seconds remaining but the Devils did not trouble while skating 6-on-5, and Clan held on for the aggregate victory.

It will be Clan's first Semi-Final appearance since 2019/20.