Braehead survive Edinburgh scare

Braehead welcomed their Scottish rivals into the Braehead Arena for another exciting match up between the two sides.

To the surprise of many it wasn't the Clan celebrating early, rather the Capitals quietening the home crowd early with an unnassisted strike from Curtis Leinweber just 78 seconds into the contest.

Braehead tried to respond quickly but Tomas Hiadlovsky was more than up to the challenge, proving why he is one of the vital players in the Capitals lineup, turning away 20 shots in the first period alone.

But Hiadlovsky did concede in the first period, the Clan were on the powerplay following an elbowing call to Jade Portwood and Shane Lust beat Hiadlovsky from close range to tie the scores at one each with 14.21 played.
New Clan signing Neil Trimm registered his first point for the side with the secondary assist on the goal.

Neither side could break through again through the first period so they came back for the second period with the score at 1 - 1.

Again in the second the Clan heavily outshot the Capitals 15 - 7, but Hiadlovsky held strong, blanking Braehead in the second frame but Kyle Jones was unable to do the same in the Clan net.

Midway through the period, and shorthanded with Curtis Leinweber sat for tripping, Tomas Horna's shot hit Jones but had enough on it to cross the line, giving Edinburgh the lead once more with 32.28 played.

Edinburgh held their lead until the midway point of the final period, but the relentless Clan attack overcame the strong Capitals defense as Neil Trimm scored his first goal for Braehead with a powerplay strike at 52.04 as Neil Hay's tripping penalty was winding down.

A strong finish for both sides couldn't produce a game winner, nor could the five minute overtime period so the teams went to a shootout.

The three shooters were unable to convert on their first opportunities, and it wasn't until Capitals Les Reaney went for his second attempt that a team found the net, putting the pressure on Neil Trimm to keep the game alive but the new boy was able to do so.

Horna went next for Edinburgh but saw his shot stopped by Kyle Jones giving Joel Champagne the opportunity to win it for the home team which he was able to, giving the Braehead Clan a 3 - 2 win, surviving a scare from the Edinburgh Capitals

Both sides face Scottish opponents in Sunday nights games. Braehead will travel to Dundee to face the Stars while Edinburgh return home to take on the Fife Flyers.

Braehead Man of the Match - Neil Trimm (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

Edinburgh Man of the Match - Tomas Hiadlovsky (45 saves)

Saturdays Results

Dundee Stars 5 - 4 Hull Stingrays (Penalty shots)

Edinburgh Capitals 2 - 3 Braehead Clan (Penalty shots)

Cardiff Devils 5 - 3 Coventry Blaze

Sheffield Steelers 4 - 1 Fife Flyers

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