Coventry Blaze survive Guildford scare to secure four-point weekend

On Sunday 2nd March, Coventry Blaze hosted Guildford Flames for the second time in just over a month, seeking to capitalise on a dominant 6-0 road win against Sheffield Steelers the day before and build a run of form approaching the Elite League playoffs.

Hoping to make amends for late January’s third period capitulation to the Flames, the Blaze began the evening in perfect fashion. Having been found by Alessio Luciani, forward Brandon Alderson fired past Flames goaltender Jake Kupsky from close range to open the scoring just over a minute in.

An end-to-end opening five minutes saw Kupsky and Blaze goaltender Mat Robson called into action several times, both keepers making fine saves to keep the score at 1-0.

Coventry were not to be denied in doubling their advantage, though. As the period reached its midpoint, Luciani came agonisingly close to adding one for himself as a Kupsky save just evaded his path, but seconds later Luciani broke on the counter and again fed Alderson who tapped in from close range.

An eight-man brawl after Kupsky had held a stinging Anderson effort from distance brought the first period to its end, Coventry continuing Saturday’s fine scoring form

One minute later the Flames almost responded, Brett Ferguson doing well to evade two Blaze defenders only to see his cross flash across the face of goal.

Towards the end of the period the Blaze saw a very brief two-man advantage on the ice pass them by, Guildford being guilty of two consecutive minor infractions.

An eight-man brawl after Kupsky had held a stinging Anderson effort from distance brought the first period to its end, Coventry continuing Saturday’s fine scoring form.

Blaze defenceman David Clements made it 3-0 five minutes in, firing into the roof of the net

Ferguson and Blaze forward Nick Seitz opened the second period by serving two minutes each in the penalty box for engaging in an altercation, and soon after a Mike Crocock slashing infraction again induced the Blaze powerplay.

Discipline proving problematic for the visiting Flames side, Blaze defenceman David Clements made it 3-0 five minutes in, firing into the roof of the net from long range with Kupsky left unsighted behind a maze of bodies.

Minutes later Ferguson was once again found guilty of roughing, this time with Brady Pouteau. Their altercation, though, preceded a quiet next ten minutes.

With two minutes on the clock, Seitz received two minutes in the penalty box for tripping, yet Guildford could not make another of the evening’s limited powerplay opportunities count as seconds later, forward Daniel Tedesco was also ejected from the ice for checking.

A crucial save from Robson with seven seconds on the clock saw the Blaze survive the powerplay and see out the period

The frantic conclusion to the period continued, Coventry again finding themselves a man down with keeper Robson guilty of interference, Chase Gresock elected the player to serve his sentence in the penalty box.

A crucial save from Robson with seven seconds on the clock saw the Blaze survive the powerplay and see out the period, another clean sheet on the weekend still intact.

Kupsky began the third period with two crucial stops of his own from Alexander Kuqali and Kim Tallberg, keeping the Flames deficit somewhat assailable.

At the midpoint of the half, Clements almost sealed the game for the Blaze, his effort from distance striking the post. During the same period of play, though, Gresock was sent to the penalty box for a tripping infraction, and on this occasion Guildford finally capitalised on the powerplay.

Brett Welychka scored to bring Guildford to within one of tying the game

Ferguson the one to reduce the arrears after a goalmouth scramble, the Flames were intent on repeating the same trick from their previous visit to Coventry.

And, when the Flames pulled Kupsky for an extra skater seconds later, the nerves of the home crowd seemed for all the world as if they were to be realised, Brett Welychka scoring to bring Guildford to within one of tying the game.

Yet, the Blaze survived the Guildford onslaught to secure an outstanding four-point weekend and move to within one point of Cardiff Devils in fourth place in the Elite League standings.