Coventry Blaze bounce back at home to Fife Flyers

In the second fixture of this weekend’s double-header, Coventry Blaze secured a vital two points at home to bottom club Fife Flyers to move up to fifth in the league standings.

Seeking redemption from the previous day’s 5-2 submission away to strugglers Manchester Storm that only prolonged their wretched road form, the Blaze had the better of the opening exchanges yet failed to beat Flyers goaltender Shane Owen.

Recent disciplinary issues soon resumed to hinder the Blaze’s early efforts, though, forward Nick Seitz serving four minutes in the penalty box for a high stick infraction three minutes in.

Coventry goalie Mat Robson responded with some vital early saves of his own with the Blaze a man down, notably thwarting young Flyers forward Ben Brown from close range after skillful control of the loose puck with his feet.

The score remaining level thanks to Robson as Seitz returned to the ice, the Blaze reassumed the ascendency and soon opened proceedings with Estonian international Morten Jürgens getting the better of Owen.

The Flyers soon responded with a goal of their own, defenceman Tyler Heidt the one to finally beat Robson and equalise. Pushing to reestablish the lead with forty seconds on the clock, Coventry were denied three times in quick succession through a combination of a heroic Owen and the goalframe.

Just the thirty seconds later Alexander Kuqali capped off the quick-fire double to surely clinch the game

Frustrated heading into the interval level, the Blaze took no time in restoring the advantage in the second period, in-form forward Alessio Luciani placing into an empty net after incisive first time passes from Seitz and Brandon Alderson took Flyers goalie Owen completely out of the game.

Yet the Blaze were soon made to pay for their recent penalty troubles. With Grayson Constable serving two minutes for a hooking infraction, Flyers forward Michael Cichy cleverly worked the puck around Robson to himself steer into an empty net.

David Clements himself returning to the ice following a minor infraction, Coventry maintained their pressure approaching the final interval. With seven minutes remaining a Blaze counter forced Owen into another crucial save, while Flyers former minor leaguer in Fort Wayne, Indiana Phélix Martineaux was forced into committing a minor tripping infraction to halt another promising Blaze offensive.

A rather quiet opening to the final period followed bar another Robson save on the Flyers counter. The two teams continued to trade minor penalties to no avail until Coventry finally capitalised on the powerplay at the midway point, Chase Gresock picking himself up having been felled on a promising offensive to immediately fire past Owen.

Victory today will restore some confidence as they continue the charge for the playoffs

Coventry really made the most of their man advantage, just the thirty seconds later Alexander Kuqali capping off the quick-fire double to surely clinch the game.

Yet memories of midweek were equally sure to weigh on the minds of the home crowd, Coventry having leaked five in the final twenty to surrender a two-goal lead at home to Guildford on Wednesday.

The Blaze, though, were confident to avoid a similar fate, and when a Flyers slashing infraction again induced the powerplay with five minutes on the clock such worries were effectively put to bed.

Coventry sealed their first victory in three with forty seconds on the clock as Gresock doubled his tally for the evening from distance, Flyers coach Johnny Curran having pulled Owen to leave an empty net.

Tricky weekend encounters away to the Cardiff Devils and home to the Sheffield Steelers await the Blaze, yet victory today will restore some confidence as they continue the charge for the playoffs.