Glasgow Clan captain Zack Fitzgerald reckons the club should have been in the play-off weekend more than they have so far.
Pete Russell’s team are off to Guildford Flames for the first leg of their quarter final tie, with both teams set to do it all again in Scotland for the second leg on Sunday.
And ‘Fitzy’, a play-off winner with Sheffield Steelers two years ago, is excited to take part in the post season competition again.
“It’s the best time of the year,” he said. “Everybody’s putting their body on the line and fighting for the trophy. It’s a fun experience and we all live for this.
“In this league, it’s all about the league championship, but the play-offs give you that something extra and I think we’re in a good position of doing something exciting here.
“For me, this is a club that definitely should have been in the play-off finals more than they have through the years. The first time I came here, they had just done it, but it’s been their only year.
Fitzgerald won the play-offs two years ago with Sheffield Steelers after the epic final with Cardiff Devils (PHOTO: Dean Woolley)
“I arrived the season after and we finished second, a point behind Sheffield Steelers in the standings and had been top for a good part of the campaign.
“We should have made it that year and even in other years, Clan should be a play-off contender and for me, the fans are the best in Nottingham at the weekend.
“Hopefully we can give them something to cheer on if we can get past Guildford.”
Clan head to Surrey with two wins in 10 since Paul Dixon’s side joined the Elite League two years ago and having never won at the Flames’ Spectrum rink.
The challenge of trying to change that is one that Fitzgerald is looking forward to, but admits the three players missing through injury is a big blow for them.
Fitzgerald’s Clan will take on Guildford Flames for a a place in the finals next week (PHOTO: Al Goold)
He added: “I like the fact we have a chance to turn around a record against a team we haven’t done well against. It makes us push a little harder and want that much more.
“Our last few games against Guildford have gone a little better, finding ways to play against them and we have to bring that into the weekend.
“But missing the three guys we will is tough at this time of year, considering all they do for the team.
“(Brendan) Connolly has put up some numbers for us and works hard, (Matt) Haywood is ‘Mr Clan’ and the heartbeat of our team while Jack Musil has been playing well and a great team-mate.
“We’re definitely hurting, not being able to have those guys fit to play, but it gives others an opportunity to step in and take more responsibility and find the extra of what we’re missing.
“It’s adversity and you have to deal with it. We love those guys and we’ll miss them of course, but we can’t dwell on it.”
