Clan aim to slay Panthers to reach finals

Braehead Clan are battling to reach the finals of the Challenge Cup for the first time – but will have to fend off two-time winners Nottingham Panthers to get there.

The Clan, riding a five-game winning streak, recently moved to fifth place in the Elite League and have taken points from top teams along the way.

And the players and staff are hopeful this momentum will help propel them to victory entering tonight and tomorrow's ties against Nottingham.

Jade Galbraith, Clan forward and current EIHL Player of the Week, said: “I was with the Panthers the two years they won the Challenge Cup, and I would love to be part of that again with the Clan.

“We beat Nottingham a few weeks back which was a great win for us and boosted our confidence.

“But at the end of the day, anything can happen. No previous wins matter and we just go out there and play for that game, that night. We will be giving it all we’ve got.”

Injury woes have seen key players such as Kyle Bruce out of action in recent fixtures. However, player/coach Drew Bannister is determined the unfortunate turn will not hamper the team’s chances of success.

“Everyone has been asking me how I feel about the semi-finals and the truth is we are all just really excited,” he said. “It’s a huge game for the fans and for the future of the club.

“We haven’t played with a full bench for the past few weeks but this is something we are assessing daily and the affected players are doing all they can to get back to full fitness.”

In just its second season as a club, the Clan has already racked up accolades including last year’s Aladdin 20/20 trophy. Their recent form on the ice and ability to upset bigger teams has led Sheffield Steelers coach Ryan Finnerty to label them “the best team in the league at the moment”.

And the Glasgow outfit's players are quick to praise the support from Clan fans and the resultant positive impact on their performances.

“The fans make all the difference,” said Bannister. “When we hear the crowd behind us, it gives us an instant boost and lets us know that the support is there.”

Defenceman Sam Zajac added: “If we skate out and see the arena packed, it lifts the boys straight away.”

With an increased game attendance over last season, the club is optimistic that a record number will attend Braehead Arena for the crucial semi-final fixture.

Lorraine Sands, Marketing and Brand Associate for the team, told The Journal: “We are really pleased with how things are going on and off the ice. Our main drive for this second half of the season is to get our game attendances up.

"They have been growing and growing in 2011, and across our festive games we played to our biggest crowds of the season.

“But we know we can get more along. Those games just showed us that the fans are there, the support and the interest is there; it’s just a case of getting all those people back – and getting them to bring a friend, family member or colleague along too.”