Braehead Clan 3-1 Cardiff Devils

Player-coach Bannister scored in his side's victory over Cardiff

Braehead Clan continued their impressive start to the new season with a composed victory over the troubled Cardiff Devils.

It is now three wins from their past three matches for the Clan.

Goals from Adam Walker, Brock McPherson and player-coach Drew Bannister over the Welsh side.

The Devils pulled the score back to 2-1 through Max Birbraer, but Braehead added the third to seal the victory and maintain their good run of form.

A tight opening period saw very little saves to make for both netminders Jaako Suomalainen for the home side and the Devils' Stevie Lyle.

However it was the Clan that opened the scoring 13 minutes in when Walker scrambled in after McPherson swept into Cardiff's attacking zone.

Kyle Bruce saw a follow-up effort stopped by Lyle, but McPherson added the second, lifting the puck over the Cardiff keeper and into the top right hand corner of the net.

Walker struck the post at the end of the first, but Cardiff starting making the home side work in the second with Suomalainen called upon to make some key saves.

Scott Dobben found himself clean through in one instance and his close range shot looked all the way in, until the Finnish keeper somehow spread himself to block the puck.

Birbraer pulled one back for the visitors ten minutes from the end to set up a nervy end to the game, but Bannister fired into the empty net to seal the 3-1 win.

Clan defenceman Sammy Zajac said afterwards: "It was a huge win for us and everyone is really pumped up after such a good start to the season.

"I've been blown away by the fans and the noise they create and they certainly got behind the team and helped in the result."

Elite League, Scottish results and scorers:

Saturday 1 October

Elite Ice Hockey League

Braehead Clan 3-1 Cardiff Devils (Walker 12:59, McPherson 15:23 PP, Bannister 59:46 EN); (Birbraer 50:43 PP)

Challenge Cup

Dundee Stars 2-2 Edinburgh Capitals (Ceman 22:39 PP, MacLean 45:45); (Hartmann 11:48 PP, Hartmann 49:36)

Fife Flyers 2-7 Belfast Giants (Cohen 11:53 PP, Bowie 53:08); (LeBlanc 1:46, Doucet 11:00, Doucet 30:16, Garside 35:40, Dowd 39:57, Lloyd 52:02, Doucet 55:52 PP)