THIS is not the end for Braehead Clan ...

it is just the start.

That was the message from head coach Ryan Finnerty in the wake of an enthralling finale to the Elite League ice hockey season.

The Glasgow club came agonisingly close to claiming their first-ever championship crown, only for Sheffield Steelers to pip them by a point.

However, the feeling of what could have been was not allowed to linger long within the corridors at Braehead Arena. Instead, the focus shifted to what can be achieved in the days, weeks, months and years to come.

In a matter of days, Clan will go head-to-head with Hull Stingrays for a place at next month's Elite League play-off finals weekend.

And, as a result of Sunday's win over Fife Flyers, Braehead have already secured a place in the European Champions Hockey League next season for the first time after finishing in second place.

"We are frustrated, but by no means do we feel we let ourselves down," said the Canadian of failing to win the title. "We've accomplished a lot this season and we're heading in the right direction.

"The goal now is to keep pushing on in the play-offs, get better over the summer and be a better club next year.

"No matter how you want to paint it, it's been an incredible year for the Clan organisation. We're a team who will be threatening that title every year now."

Following on from a four-point weekend, Finnerty is keen to continue building on the positive vibe sweeping through Braehead ahead of the play-offs.

The Glasgow club reached the finals weekend for the first time last year, and their head coach has an eye on being champions if they make it past Hull this week and get down to Nottingham for the showpiece event.

"We wanted to get the Champions League spot and we're delighted we got it," he said. "Now our focus turns to Hull and everyone is going for the one goal of the play-off trophy. It's a great thing to win.

"We're knocking on the door and doing all the right things. The process started last year by taking an eighth-placed team to a fifth-placed team and now to a second-placed team.

"We're all upset, mad and disappointed we didn't get the title, but we need to take every positive. There are plenty."

While Finnerty remains upbeat about the prospect of more silverware joining their Gardiner Conference trophy, he was pragmatic when reflecting on the one that got away at the weekend.

He said: "You have to take your hat off and congratulate Sheffield, they are deserved champions and it was one heck of a race.

"What else can you say? Three teams fought it out right to the death. It's frustrating for us, but we are a growing club and we're not going to go away.

"We're disappointed we didn't get a league title, but if someone had said a year ago that we would be fighting for this right down to the last weekend I don't know if we would have believed them.

"It has been a great season for us and we will continue to get better and challenge again next year."