Coventry Blaze fall to Nottingham Panthers in feisty affair

On Sunday 16 February, Coventry Blaze hosted Nottingham Panthers hoping to ameliorate Saturday’s 6-2 defeat away to the same opposition.

Sporting special jerseys to commemorate the passing of assistant coach Dayle ‘Keeno’ Keen one year ago this month, the Blaze offered encouragement in defeat to a side that had got the better of them in six out of seven encounters across league and cup play this term.

The visiting Panthers had the better of the opening exchanges seeking to continue the weekend’s fine scoring form against the Blaze, five minutes in forward Didrik Henbrant firing past Blaze goaltender Mat Robson.

A quick double save forced from Panthers goaltender Jason Grande well into the first period was the best of the early Blaze efforts, and the home side were to be further punished for their sluggish start

Coventry really had Robson to thank for restricting the scoreline to 1-0 in an opening ten minutes that had been entirely one-way traffic, the Panthers roared on by a travelling support that took up two blocks of the Skydome Arena.

A quick double save forced from Panthers goaltender Jason Grande well into the first period was the best of the early Blaze efforts, and the home side were to be further punished for their sluggish start.

First, forwards Otto Nieminen and Reid Stefanson combined on a quick Panthers break with the former doubling the lead with four minutes on the clock.

The Panthers having withstood a two-minute player deficit courtesy of a Kristoff Kontos tripping infraction, it was then the turn of Mitch Fossier to beat Robson at his near post with ten seconds remaining to cap off what had been a dominant opening Panthers
display.

Blaze defenceman Mike Kennedy and Henbrant dropped the gloves – hardly a surprising turn given the bust ups between the two sides at the Motorpoint Arena one day prior

The second period proved to be a remarkable twenty minutes of hockey. Just ninety seconds in, Blaze defenceman Mike Kennedy and Henbrant dropped the gloves – hardly a surprising turn given the bust ups between the two sides at the Motorpoint Arena one day prior.

This engagement rather set the tone for the period.

With both Kennedy and Henbrant back on the ice, Panthers forward Matt Alfaro served his turn in the penalty box following his checking infraction being upheld by video review.

Eager to capitalise on this powerplay, assistant coach and recent regular fixture in the Blaze lineup Zach Vinnell fired in from distance to reduce the arrears.

Penalty troubles continued for the Panthers, Tim Doherty serving two minutes for a face-off violation to induce yet another Blaze powerplay.

Coventry took no time in halving the deficit, forward Zach Heintz finishing into an empty net after an incisive pass from Michael Regush took goaIie Grande out of the game.

Completing the remarkable comeback, Brandon Alderson himself fired in from distance ten seconds into the powerplay after a turnover in possession

It was then the turn of defenceman Zsombor Garat to conclude this period’s atrocious discipline for the Panthers, serving a major five-minute penalty to hand the Blaze the perfect opportunity to level proceedings.

Completing the remarkable comeback, Brandon Alderson himself fired in from distance ten seconds into the powerplay after a turnover in possession.

Yet, the visiting side regrouped and were able to reassume the lead with two and a half minutes on the clock, Stefanson providing the finishing touch after a goalmouth scramble.

Stefanson’s goal concluded a frantic period for the Panthers, and the interval worked wonders in calming a side that had seen a three goal lead slip in a matter of minutes.

It only took two minutes of the final period for the Panthers to double the advantage, Henbrant getting his second of the night after being sent through on goal by a very loose Blaze backwards pass.

The Blaze return to action this Saturday facing Glasgow Clan at the Braehead Arena, before returning home a day later hoping to replicate last month’s triumph against Dundee Stars

The interval clearly came at the wrong time for the Blaze, halting all momentum, and four minutes later Nieminen added his second and the Panthers’ third unanswered goal in a matter of minutes to again give them daylight.

The two sides then traded two-minute penalties, the Blaze adding their fourth powerplay goal of the night through Terrance Amorosa to give them hope of another comeback.

Yet when Blaze forward Nick Seitz was dismissed for two minutes for roughing with three minutes on the clock, the game was largely at its end.

The one-man deficit forced Robson back in net having been hooked in a last-ditch effort to salvage something from this weekend’s Panthers double header.

The Blaze return to action this Saturday facing Glasgow Clan at the Braehead Arena, before returning home a day later hoping to replicate last month’s triumph against Dundee Stars.