REPORT: Braehead Clan 4 Coventry Blaze 2

Gary Russell picked up man of the match on his return to the side as Braehead Clan completed a good week with a 4-2 win over Coventry Blaze.

Following on from victories against Manchester Storm and Edinburgh Capitals, Ryan Finnerty’s side moved into fourth place in the Elite League after the results.

But there wasn’t much to choose between teams for large parts of the first period, with both goalies Gary Russell and Brian Stewart being tested.

It was the home side that drew first blood when Bari McKenzie’s pass caused havoc around the Blaze crease, with Matt Haywood finishing off the chance.

Coventry drew level in controversial circumstances as Shawn Boutin rifled home a one-timer on the powerplay, which stemmed from a disputed offside call.

Ryan Finnerty’s side went close on the powerplay when Scott Aarssen forced Stewart into a low save, but Scott Pitt could only swipe at the rebound.

Russell saved well shortly after to deny Robin Bergman, who had a close range chance and recovered brilliantly to deny Liam Stewart’s rebound.

However Clan retook their lead with a minute to go of the second stanza as Matt Beca jammed the puck into the roof of Stewart’s net after good combination work by Pitt and Mike Hammond.

Craig Peacock’s shot on the angle left Stewart beaten a third time as the Glasgow men opened up a two-goal gap.

But it was quickly cancelled out TJ Syner, who applied Blaze’s second 34 seconds later to return the game to a tight one-goal game.

Mike Hammond sealed the points with a fine touch on Scott Aarssen’s blue line strike to pick up his seventh point of the weekend and rightfully seal an excellent few days for the club.