Clan come from two down, win in OT
Photo: William Cherry
Glasgow Clan scored two in the third period to come from two goals down and eventually beat Belfast Giants in overtime at a sold-out SSE Arena. The result leaves the league-leaders with just one point from this weekend's games.
"I think we started a bit slow. Then Corey spoke up in the room in the second, and I think that sparked the group," said game-winner Cole Ully. "We just waited, let them take it to us, then stung them. We got one on the powerplay, which was huge, and then, in overtime, anything can happen."
Not many teams come back from being two down going into the third. What was the message at the end of the second p
The first period began evenly, with both teams struggling to create any meaningful chances. JJ Piccinich and Mitchell Heard had the best chances for their respective teams, however both fired over. The Giants couldn't capitalise on their successive powerplays, meaning the first period ended scoreless.
The Giants were able to take advantage of their third powerplay to open the scoring. Scott Conway took the puck in the right circle and fired past Landon Bow at 25:50.
Cole Ully had a chance to equalise for the Clan when a rebound fell to him at a tight angle, but he couldn't squeeze the puck in. Bobo Carpenter doubled the lead for the Giants at 32:12. A fortunate bounce off the board presented Carpenter with a golden opportunity, which he buried into the top corner.
"I think we just didn't have much energy, and it sparked us," continued Ully. "In this building, especially it's hard to find points, let alone come back in the third, and I think this group did a great job. We've been rolling lately, and we'll hopefully keep it going."
Two goals in seven minutes brought Clan back into things. Liam Finlay fired a shot pass Jackson Whistle at 43:03 after Tyson McLellan let the puck run through his legs with a small tough to put it on the tape of Ully. With Ben Lake in the box for tripping, Clan made advantage of the extra man as Mitchell Heard jammed a puck past Whistle at the post after a bounce off the back boards.
All tied heading into the final minutes, Pierre-Olivier Morin had the best chance to win it for the Giants after Grant Mismash went almost coat to coast to set up the opportunity; while Whistle was called into action on the final play of regulation to prevent the Clan snatching it at the death.
The Giants went on the front foot in overtime and saw Piccinich just fire wide. However, Deven Sideroff fed Ully for a breakaway the other way and his shot snuck through Whistle and just trickled over the line to give Clan the overtime with 92 seconds into bonus hockey.
Concluded Ully: "Belfast are a top team in the league. Every time we play them, it's a battle. Every time you can take down a top team is huge for the group."
