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Clancy answers the call

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As Manchester Phoenix gained victory over the London Racers at the Alexandra Palace on Friday night, former Flintshire Freeze netminder Dave Clancy answered the call from head coach Rick Brebant when thrust into action late in the first period with the team trailing 3-2.

Brebant called on 24-year old Clancy to stabilise the defence after regular goalie Jayme Platt had an indifferent start to the game. Brebant said, “For whatever reason, Jayme didn’t appear happy tonight and in hockey, you have a back-up goalie for just that kind of eventuality. Dave has done extremely well since we signed him and I had no hesitation in sending him on.”

Clancy commented, “When London scored their third goal, Rick gave me a shout to put my helmet on saying, ‘you’re going in.’ I thought it would only be for the last two minutes of the first period but, during the break Rick said I was staying in. I didn’t feel nervous going on, but I did going out for the second period.”

The Phoenix upped their work rate in the second period to equalise and then re-take the lead with goals from Miroslav Skovira and David Kozier. In the third period, flying Finn Petteri Lotila and captain George Awada completed a successful trip to the capital with two further goals.

Dave Clancy played 42 minutes and 6 seconds recording a 13-save clean sheet and was warmly congratulated by his teammates and the travelling Phoenix fans on the teams’ lap of honour around the Ally Pally rink.

Clancy added, “the other players were great with me afterwards especially Jayme, he is the teams number one goalie and I’m there to support him, I’m just happy that things worked out. It was more important that the team won the game and we did. Playing for a big club like the Phoenix is all I’ve ever wanted in hockey, they’ve given me an opportunity to live a dream and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

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