In Scotland, pleasure is often derived from doing things the hard way, a penchant for trying to resurrect a lost cause.

After months of being battered, bruised and, most importantly, beaten, Braehead Clan managed to summon enough strength and mettle to turn their fortunes around against the odds.

Despite enduring a run-in which they won just five of their 20 games since the turn of the year – causing them to plummet perilously close to missing out on the end-of-season play-offs for the first time in their three-year history – Clan found the self-belief and character to dig out three victories on the bounce during March and save their season.

Their revival culminated in a last-gasp winner last Friday as Paul Gardner's men came from behind to beat Dundee CCS Stars 4-3, a win that ultimately earned them the inaugural Gardiner Conference title, as well as a play-off quarter-final spot against Cardiff Devils.

"When we won our three home games, I knew we just needed a point from somewhere or Dundee to lose. When they did it was a great, great relief," admitted Gardner, the head coach behind Clan's success.

"The ovation we got on Friday when the winning goal went in [with two minutes 49 seconds left to play] was amazing. As a coach, you keep looking at the clock to see how long you have left to get your next group of players on, so it was a nice feeling to get the goal when we did.

"I know we suffered a stretch where we couldn't win a game, but I didn't think we played that poorly. In fact, I believe we probably played some of our best hockey against the best teams and just came up short. In recent weeks, we have dug deep to show our character; we've got to continue to do that against Cardiff."

While tomorrow's first leg will be a welcome surprise for the thousands crammed into Braehead Arena, it is not uncharted territory for the Elite Ice Hockey League side's followers. In the past two seasons, Clan had Nottingham Panthers blocking their path to the play-off final weekend at this stage.

Gardner, who took the reins from player/coach Jordan Krestanovich in January, has turned his short-handed squad into a greater collective which now seem to be operating at a higher level. Thanks to the acquisition of players such as Matt Schepke and Craig Cescon, his hand is finally looking flush.

"I've enjoyed my time here," said Gardner, whose side will travel to Cardiff on Sunday for the return leg. "I would like to have had better results but when I got here the team was extremely short-handed. We battled through that, injuries and different things and it's been very enjoyable. I have a great bunch of guys and I'd certainly like to continue my work here.

"The mood has been terrific. All of the players have been upbeat and positive; they know they have two games coming up where anything can happen. Every man in that locker room has contributed one way or another.

"They went through an awful lot earlier this season, so it's nice for them to have this opportunity. You fight all season to get into that final weekend and we have the chance to do that now."