Braehead Clan Head Coach Ryan Finnerty hailed his team’s character after Sunday’s 5-2 Elite League win at Edinburgh Capitals.

Clan ended the weekend on a high after two losses to Sheffield Steelers and Belfast Giants in an energy-sapping three-game programme.

“I thought the guys battled pretty hard in Edinburgh and it was probably our first complete sixty minute game of the season we’ve played together in tough circumstances,” he said.

“Looking back on Friday, we played well and had every chance to win. They’re a quality hockey team and have been champions the last couple of years for a reason.

“We made one mistake and they capitalised. I thought we played well enough to win, while Saturday was an embarrassment from everyone.

“We regrouped on our third game and the guys showed some real character in how we played and the guys found a purpose on how we played.

“Everybody’s improved, but if we can get some self-belief from this win guys can realise that’s the way to play consistently where we grind games out and get the win, then we can turn this corner.

“If we fall into old habits, then no, but that’s up to the coaching staff and that’s why we have purpose built practices and video.”

Finnerty was also pleased to see all five goals come from five different scorers on Sunday and has urged his players to take confidence from the result and enjoy it before they return to work.

He added: “Any time we’re scoring more than one I’m happy at the moment, but to get five from five different sources is great.

“It could have been six or seven with the chances we had, but ‘Fully’ (Capitals’ goalie Travis Fullerton) made some great saves. Secondary scoring is what we’ve been crying out for.

“The biggest thing we can take from this is confidence and that’s something you can’t teach. You can sense some relief and it’s important to enjoy it before we go back to work again.”

(Image permission: Carol Ann Jardine)