Clan crash out of Challenge Cup after second leg defeat

Braehead Clan narrowly missed out on a place in the Challenge Cup finals last week after a second leg crushing at the hands of reigning champions Nottingham Panthers.

The Scottish side enjoyed the upper hand entering Sunday’s face-off after a record-breaking crowd of 2,850 witnessed a 3-2 win at Braehead Arena the evening before.

However, the Panthers – seeking a third successive Challenge Cup crown – recovered in front of their home fans with three unanswered goals ending Drew Bannister’s boys cup dream 5-2 on aggregate.

Clan forward Jade Galbraith told The Journal the semi-final double header would be the biggest games of their season in the week leading up to the clash.

And ex-Panther Galbraith, who is the current Elite League leader in points, was on hand to fire the Glasgow outfit ahead before serving up an assist for the second on the opening night.

It proved to be a game filled with drama from the offset as Panthers player Jeff Heerema was forced into an early exit during the first period after the puck struck his face.

An ambulance was called to the arena and Heerema was taken to hospital only to be later released and medically cleared to travel home with his team.

David Clarke and Matt Francis struck a quickfire double in the space of 21 seconds to fire the visitors into a third period lead before player/coach Bannister and Brock McPherson rubber-stamped a sensational comeback.

The second leg saw Clan outmuscled as the Panthers enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, storming 2-0 ahead inside the opening period.

The injured Mike Bayrack and the aggression he brings was greatly missed by the Glasgow men as Nottingham advanced to face either Cardiff Devils or Belfast Giants in the final two.

Braehead must now turn their full focus back to domestic matters, where they currently sit sixth in the Elite League after a six-game winning streak. Only five points stand between the team ascending into the top four of the league for the first time in its two-year run.