ICE hockey players aren't usually known for their attractive features.
The mere mention of the species around these parts concocts wild thoughts of broken teeth, matted hair, a heavy growth and a violent streak that would make even the most robust of Sauchiehall Street doormen wince.
Despite the stereotypical imagery, though, a Canadian affair is in full bloom in Renfrewshire. At the centre of the fling is Jade Galbraith, the Braehead Clan's elusive right wing. After spending just seven months at the club since joining from Nottingham Panthers, he has propelled himself not just into the hearts of Clan supporters but to the top of the Elite League scoring chart with a formidable 38 goals and 63 assists. His charm, then, is easy to see.
"I am enjoying living in Glasgow, it's a change of scenery. It's recharged me and I think it has helped my play on the ice," says the 30-year-old. "We have a great team and we all hang out together. We go downtown for dinner, it's a beautiful city with great people. It's a great place to play hockey."
The experience and determination brought to the Clan by the man from Alberta is evident in their league standing. Drew Bannister's side are poised to enter the play-offs on Tuesday with Galbraith scoring in seven of their last 10 outings. The Clan finished the season in sixth place, with the Canadian's former side Nottingham lying in wait tomorrow night in the play-off quarter-final first leg at the Braehead Arena.
"We went on a stretch where we weren't playing well but in the last few weeks we have seen a real upturn in our form," he said. "We are at the point where we want to go in healthy to the play-offs and holding the other team to limiting their shots.
"We definitely want to win the play-off final, you can't play a sport if you don't want to win. Getting to the final weekend would definitely be a huge thing for our club and if we are playing our best hockey we know we will have a chance."
If successful, supporters will be hoping the silverware won't be a parting gift from the Elite All Stars forward. Galbraith's contract is up at the end of the season and the former Cincinnati Cyclones player has already received offers from clubs from abroad. After plying his trade in Germany for two years, the journeyman admits he has settled on the banks of the River Clyde, though.
"When you start at a club you need good people around you and at Braehead they have that," said Galbraith, who flat shares with team-mate Ryan Campbell. "They are good people and want to see the club succeed and I'm really proud to be here. I don't know what I'm going to do about my future, I've had some offers from other clubs in other leagues, I've had a pretty good year so I don't know what I will do.
"I'd love to come back if everything falls into place. The club has great fans, great organisation and they are on the way up. They are going to win trophies in the next couple of years and I'd like to be a part of that. They are going to be here way beyond when I leave, they are on the right track."
Whether this story turns into a marriage made in Renfrewshire or not remains to be seen, but the holiday romance looks likely to continue for some time yet.
*The Canadian was on target again last night as Braehead recorded an impressive 5-4 away win over the Sheffield Steelers., writes Scott Mullen.
Galbraith scored his 38th goal of the season as the Clan twice came from behind to record their second victory of the weekend, with Adam Walker, Mike Bayrack, Ryan Campbell and Mike Wirll also on target for Bannister's men. It follows their 6-1 win over Hull Stingrays on Saturday.
Clan's play-off quarter-final rivals Nottingham finished the season in third place after losing 4-3 in overtime at Belfast on Saturday.
Elsewhere last night, Dundee stars fell to a 6-2 defeat in Hull, while Fife Flyers went down 11-3 at Murrayfield against the Edinburgh Capitals.
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