The Motorpoint Arena was rocking long before the first puck dropped. Thousands of fans poured through the doors buzzing with the kind of electric energy that only playoff hockey can generate ,Finals Weekend had arrived in Nottingham, and the city knew it.
This was the first of four games across the weekend, and the opening act delivered exactly what the crowd had come for.
The Road to Nottingham
Cardiff Devils arrived as the top seed and clear favourites, and rightly so. But nobody told Glasgow Clan to read the script. To even reach this stage, the Clan had battled through a bruising quarter-final against the Belfast Giants the reigning league champions and emerged victorious in a shootout. It was the kind of result that sends a message, and their fans had clearly received it.
For Glasgow, this was more than just a game. The last time the Clan featured in the playoffs was back in 2014, and they were determined to make it count. Their supporters arrived at the arena in style, marching through Nottingham city centre in a procession that turned heads Clangus the mascot leading the way, flanked by drummers and the wail of bagpipes echoing off the streets. Scenes you simply don't see at your average sporting event.
First Period — Feeling Each Other Out
Both sides came out cautiously, as you'd expect in a match of this magnitude. Glasgow set up defensively and were disciplined and organised at the back, frustrating a Cardiff attack that, on paper at least, should have been too good for them. The Clan weren't just hanging on they were genuinely competitive, and the period ended goalless. Credit where it's due.
Second Period — The Game Bursts to Life
The deadlock broke at 24:29 when Ben Davies threaded a beautiful pass to Connor Caponi, who drove hard to the net and slotted it coolly between the legs of the Glasgow netminder. Cardiff 1–0.
Less than a minute later, the Clan hit straight back. Jason Farm buried a shot past Stoever at 25:20 to level it at 1–1. The arena erupted. Just when it looked like Glasgow might ride that momentum, Cardiff responded almost immediately 38 seconds later, Estes fired a stunning wrist shot top shelf, just over the shoulder of Aittokallio to restore the Devils' lead at 2–1. Three goals in under two minutes. That's playoff hockey at its finest.
Third Period Cardiff Close It Out
Glasgow pressed hard in the final period and refused to go quietly. They outshot Cardiff 11–8 in the third, creating chances and keeping the Devils honest right to the end. With 2:18 remaining and the game on the line, Clan head coach made the call — Aittokallio was pulled for the extra skater.
Glasgow poured forward, but Cardiff held their nerve. Joey Martin got hold of the puck and fired it into the empty net at 59:34, sealing a 3–1 victory and punching Cardiff's ticket to the final.
Legacy Final Thoughts
Cardiff Devils were the better team on the night, and their quality as the number one seed showed when it mattered most. But Glasgow Clan can hold their heads high. They were competitive, passionate, and their fans were nothing short of magnificent all game long.
Finals Weekend is well and truly underway. If Game One is anything to go by, we're in for a special few days of hockey here in Nottingham.
Stay locked in for more coverage across the weekend — Legacy Sportswear, built for those who live the game.
