Nicholls with 2 as Steelers Roll on
Steelers remain unbeaten on the road with a 6-3 victory in Glasgow on Friday night.
Josh Nicholls (2), Patrick Watling, Marco Vallerand (our 100th goal of the season) Robert Dowd (his 330th Steelers goal) and Scott Allen were the scorers.
No Brett Neumann for the Steelers with Zach Vinnell coming into the side to play against his former club.
Period 1.
Its was Zach Vinnell who had the first shot of the game as Steelers started well
Matt Greenfield called into action with Harrison was free all alone out in front but the Clan forward fired straight at the Steelers goalie
Heart in mouths time shortly later as Patrick Watling looked in trouble as he limped off the ice – he was to return a few minutes later though and play a huge part in the remainder of the period.
07.00 and Steelers with on the penalty kill with Watling off for tripping
07.22 and Craighead fired once past Greenfield for the 1-0 advantage
Sol took Marco Vallerand down behind the Clan net for a 2 minute interference call at 08.54
10.02 and after a nice build up Patrick Watling fired home to tie the game (1-1)
15.00 and Clan back in the box with Luke Lynch off for tripping
15.55 and Watling turned scorer to assist man (with Cormier) to set up Josh Nicholls for the go ahead goal (1-2)
Mikko Juusol waith speed down the right wing hit the post moments later and then Kevin Tansey set up Mark Simpson on a two on one breakaway with Simpson also beating Kielly but again hitting the post.
With 33 seconds on the period Saucerman and Coombs clashed but only Saucerman sent to the box.
Steelers killed the remaining 33 seconds but the Clan will start the 2nd period on the power-play
Second Period
Steelers started the period with the Clan on the PP but soon killed off the Glasgow’s side one man advantage.
Mikko Juusola wnet close on an end to end effort, then Patrick Watling also went close as Steelers pushed forward.
Kielly made a great save off Scott Allen as he used his reach to get to a loose puck
29.39 and the 100th goal of the season for the Steelers as Marco Vallerand extended his recently run of scoring to make it 3-1 (Dowdy and Cormier)
Saucerman was the next man to force a save off Kielly
33.34 and the Clan back in ti as Sol set up Stephenson for the home sides 2nd goal of the night (2-3)
Simpson forced a good save off Kielly before the Steelers went on to hit the post three more times in the period (5 in all so far)
Clan had a great chance at the end of the period after the Steelers failed to clear their zone but Matt Greenfield came to the rescue.
End of the Second Period: Clan 2-3 Steelers
Period 3
End to end final period with both teams creating but the Steelers in general control.
45.58 and a chance for the Clan with Marco Vallerand called for slashing
It was a great kill by the Steelers, especially Watling and Juusola
Steelers extended their lead to 2-4 at 51.55 with for Clan D man Zach Vinnell picking up an assist on Josh Nicholls second goal of the night.
Daniel Ciampini thought he had added a 5th but Kielly in the Clan goal removed the net off it’s moorings moments before
56.23 and it’s game on as the Clan hit back
Bryce Reddick reducing the gap to just 1 goal.
Moments later (56.50) and the Clan taking a slashing penalty (Luke Lynch)
Steelers on the power-play and at 57.05 Cormiers pass finds Robert Dowd for the one timer for 5-3
It was Dowdy’s 330th goals for the Steelers taking him to 2nd in the all-time scoring charts just 26 behind Steve Nemeth
It’s not all over … 58.09 and Kevin Tansey called for tripping … Clan call a time-out and pull the goalie … it’s 6 on 4
Daniel Ciampini had a chance of the empty net but the Clan were throwing bodies in front of everything
Then with a handful of seconds remaining Ciampini and Allen broke and Daniel made a great play to Scottie for the empty net, and 6th goal at 59.53
Final score: Glasgow Clan 3-6 Steelers
Steelers Man of the Match: Scott Allen
Saturday: Steelers Vs. Clan (SOLD-OUT)
