Clan end long wait for league win in Cardiff
Photo: James Assinder
Glasgow Clan won their first regular season league fixture in Cardiff since 2019 thanks to a 3-2 win over the Devils at a sold-out Vindico Arena.
"We had a long day travelling yesterday, and today was all about getting ready for the game and getting our preparation right," said Clan's Mitch Heard who got two assists in the game. "We had a lot of resilience in the game, scoring and then going behind and it was good for us to come out on the right side."
Period one at the Vindico Arena saw an aggressive start for both teams, including many goalscoring opportunities as well as back-and-forth puck control. Clan’s Keaton Jameson saw himself receive a high-sticking penalty early on, but fortunately for the visitors the man advantaged ended without score. Clan also came up empty on two powerplays as the opening period ended scoreless.
Glasgow saw themselves almost immediately take the lead going into the second period as Cole Ully scored under two minutes into period two.
Shortly after, the visitors killed off a Chris McKay minor but Cardiff just seconds later, Kohen Olischefski provided Cardiff with an equaliser at 26:30. In the closing minutes of the period, Josh MacDonald found the back of Landon Bow's net to put the Devils ahead.
Another quick start to a period saw the Clan back level - 20 seconds in fact for Rylan Schwartz tipping Simon Despres' shot past a screened Taz Burman.
The game was still tied heading into the final ten minutes until Clan got the breakthrough. A Steven Seigo shot from the point was deflected in front by Deven Sideroff to put the visitors ahead with 5:55 to play.
With Burman pulled and an offensive zone faceoff, Joey Martin was called for using his hand in a faceoff to put the home side short for the final 56 seconds. Clan kept control of the puck for the remainder of the game and held on to take the two points.
"Tonight we stuck to the game plan," affirmed Heard. "We have great leadership in our room and are sure we’re turn this around. Beating one of the best teams in the league tonight will definitely give us confidence that should carry over to tomorrow."
