Gr-eight Miller on form again

Dec 8 2012 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

NHL star Drew Miller continued to take the frustrations of his strike dispute out on Clan’s opponents after blasting an incredible four goals against Fife.

The Stanley Cup winner – continuing his trade with Braehead while North America’s top players refuse to play because of a pay row – became the first Elite League player this season to net four times in a single match.

Coach Jordan Krestanovich could only praise a player who has now scored eight goals in his last four games: “Millsy is a class act. He has been amazing for us.”

The Renfrew side also saw Player of the Week Ash Goldie grab their other goal as they came out on top in a closely fought encounter that could have gone either way.

The visitors were only a goal behind as the game went into the final stages when Miller found the empty net to record his record-breaking goal after the Flyers had pulled the goalie.

Both teams had chances in the opening session but there was only the one goal between the teams and it came the way of the home team when Miller netted his first of the night after eight minutes.

The Flyers were back on level terms, however, 20 minutes later when player/coach Todd Dutiaume rattled the puck home.

Fife then shocked Clan – still reeling from last weekend’s 5-1 defeat to Coventry – when they edged themselves in front on 34 minutes as ex-Clan player Bobby Chaumont upset his former employers with a second for the Flyers.

But with just a single second of the second period remaining, Miller grabbed his second to send the teams in all square at two apiece after 40 minutes.

And two goals in the first four minutes of the third period gave the Clan a two-goal cushion.

Miller completed his hat trick on 42 minutes before Goldie stuck it away again two minutes later.

Fife battled on, however, and with five minutes left cut the Braehead lead to one as Kris Hogg scored.

The Clan took a minor penalty with just 130 seconds of the game remaining when Davide Nicoletti was called for high sticking, and the Flyers called a time out.

Just over a minute later, they pulled stopper Jason Pitton for a 6-on-4 powerplay but Miller got possession of the puck and fired into the empty net.

Krestanovich, who can now look forward to the trip to face Dundee tomorrow night with forward Jesse Schultz recovered from injury, said: “We were not at our best against Fife but the result is all that matters.

“Our penalty kill did a great job at the end of the game. It was a huge moment and we got it done.

“We are now going to Dundee to win. We will be better than we were against Fife, that’s for sure.

“We have Jesse Schultz back, so that is a boost. We score goals, scoring isn’t a problem, but Jessie will add to that. It also means Ash and I, who have been working overtime, will not have to play as much.”

Meanwhile, Clan have announced that Mitch Maunu has been released from the club.

A spokesman said: “We would like to wish Mitch all the best for the future and thank him for his time with the club.”

Braehead’s visit to the Dundee Ice Arena tomorrow has a 6.30pm face-off.