THE message is one down, two to go at Braehead after Clan clinched the Gardiner Conference title.

 

Sitting both top of their section and the overall Elite League, the Glasgow club knew defeating Dundee Stars on Saturday would be enough not only to maintain their lofty perch, but seal their first piece of silverware of the season.

And it turned out to be a comfortable victory for Ryan Finnerty's men in front of another bumper home crowd of 3,279 with goals from Stefan Meyer and Leigh Salters with a double.

While regaining the title after losing it to Dundee last year was pleasing for their head coach, it is simply another step towards the main target of winning the Elite League and then the play-off finals for the first time in their history.

And with Clan sitting top of the table and already guaranteed a top seed spot in the play-off quarter-finals, Finnerty is content everything is going to plan.

He said: "It's nice and, obviously, it's a trophy we let slip last year, so it was on our agenda this season and I'm pleased we have it in the bag.

"We had to change the way we play due to the injuries and suspensions. It wasn't as entertaining as we would like, but at this stage of the season, it's about getting the wins.

Finnerty also commended the attitude of his team, which was without the influential presence of Chris Frank and Zack Fitzgerald, both of whom were suspended for six and three matches respectively earlier in the week by the Department of Player Safety.

He added: "It's tough to lose two of our big players, especially guys that you would consider as leaders on the night, but for us, it was about trying to take the positives out of it.

"It was about adopting an 'us against the world' mentality and getting guys to buy into it.

"No-one is going to feel sorry for us and we had to man up, overcome the adversity and get on with the job. Winning this one was a good start and we roll on to the next one."

In last night's return fixture, Braehead beat Dundee 5-0 on Tayside.

Next up for Braehead is a mouthwatering battle with title rivals Nottingham Panthers at the Braehead Arena on Friday night.