Robbie Lepine’s game winning goal got Glasgow’s Braehead Clan’s weekend in Manchester off to the perfect start as they took the points in a 4-3 win over the Storm.
It was the first of a weekend double header as John Tripp went head to head with former Clan coach Ryan Finnerty.
And it was Finnerty’s charges who took the lead eight minutes into the first period as Matt Stanisz rifled one in from the blue line for a powerplay opener.
Clan equalised in the early stages of the second when Brendan Brooks’ effort was rebounded, leaving Craig Peacock to sweep home the loose puck.
A couple of minutes later, Scott Pitt combined with Mike Hammond to restore Storm’s lead when the former finished off a pass from the latter.
But Braehead were level again after the second period, as Landon Oslanski fired in from the right to tie the game at two apiece.
The home side were back in the front after only 19 seconds of the third period as Dane Byers was involved to allow Hammond to fire into the net.
However the visitors were back on level terms for the third time as Michal Gutwald was given it after a shot from the slot.
Then Lepine got the final touch on an effort from the blue line to divert it past Storm goalie Mike Clemente to put Clan in front for the first time.
It proved to be the one that made all the difference as Braehead held on for victory, with a rematch looming large on the horizon tomorrow.
