13 Dec 2023, 19:30 | Play-off | QF | Ice Arena Wales |
Cardiff Devils | 1-3 | Glasgow Clan |
Periods: Shots: | 0-2 (11-11) | 1-0 (13-8) | 0-1 (12-10) | Total: 36-29 |
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Referees: Smith/Ions  |  Spectators: 2642 |
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Goals and assists
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.