Braehead Clan Head Coach Ryan Finnerty believes some of his players may have been given a reality check about life in the Elite League.

Clan suffered two league losses to Nottingham Panthers and Cardiff Devils in the opening weekend of the regular season campaign.

Finnerty insists his team will come good, but admits it’s not going to happen overnight.

“This group is full of talented hockey players who are now seeing where the level is at,” he said. “Maybe we’ve had guys with their eyes opened and reality may have checked back in.

“Anybody who came to this league thinking it would be not quite what it is has had a reality check and we need to respond.

“If you come with the attitude that you’re going down four or five notches and don’t work, you don’t succeed and you get exposed.

“We have a good group of talented players and will be good when things start clicking.

“They aren’t going to happen overnight and we have to work on and off the ice. It’s a process, but we’re only two games in and there’s no panic at this stage.”

Clan move on to play Manchester Storm at home on Saturday, before making the relatively short trip to Edinburgh Capitals the following day as they look to bounce back.

Finnerty accepts that adjustments need to be made ahead of Storm’s visit on Saturday.

He added: “It’s frustrating because this team is nowhere near the level it can compete at or can play at. We’re going through some growing pains and we’re not clicking in certain areas.

“We’re at the start of marathon and have to start looking at making some adjustments.

“It’s going to be a long week and and there’s lots of work for us to do. We have to focus on all the areas of the ice.

“This is a group that cares with an organisation and fanbase that demands winning. We got beat on every inch of the ice over the last 120 minutes and we have to correct that.”

(Image permission: Al Goold Photo)