Braehead captain Matt Keith admits he was impressed by the new-look team after Clan’s 5-2 Aladdin Cup win at Nottingham Panthers – but has urged fans not to read too much into it.

Keith was among the five scorers as Ryan Finnerty’s men got their pre-season programme off to a great start with the victory over the Panthers.

But he insists Saturday’s game wasn’t about winning and losing, more about putting into practice the instructions set by the Clan coach.

“To be honest, I was pretty impressed and it feels as though we have a lot of good people in the dressing room and some talented players in there,” Keith said.

“There were some guys that left, which was tough to see move on, but we’ve brought in guys to fulfil different roles. The first impression was certainly a good one for me.

“You certainly can’t read too much into it. It wasn’t so much about a win or a loss, but more about working on the things that Finner has wanted to work on in the first few days of the training camp.

“It’s the first game of pre-season with a new team in a new season and we’re starting from the bottom and working our way up.

“It was a long trip down and back, especially for the first one, but I thought we went down there and did what we set out to do.

“We’re not doing anything crazy and it’s all pretty standard and simple, but gives a framework from which to build off.

“In our own way, it helps to get you ready for the new season in what you want to do and we just went out and played, doing the things to help push yourself.

“Everyone was going to be rusty after not playing for four months, but I thought it was good for us. The win was nice and we get to regroup before we head into our second week.”

(Image permission: Karl Denham)