BRITISH netminder Jordan Hedley stopped 26 of 28 shots to help Coventry Blaze to a 5-2 victory over rivals Milton Keynes Lightning at the Skydome Arena in the Elite League.
Heavily depleted on defence already, Milton Keynes suffered an early blow as Rihards Grigors was adjudged to have head-butted Blaze forward Jake Hansen following a battle in front of the away side’s net.
The Latvian defenceman received a match penalty, giving Blaze the opportunity to take a commanding lead on a full five-minute powerplay.
The opener came from American forward Shawn Pauly at 9.40, his first of two on the night.
Captain Kevin Morris made it two (12.27) not long after.
It got worse for Doug McKay’s side on 18.46 as a pretty dish by Kelin Ainsworth was finished expertly by Ben Lake close in, celebrating as he fell down to the ice.
A single strike from Eric Neiley in the middle period made it a 3-1 game but Blaze again took over in the third.
Pauly’s second (44.35) and a much needed strike for Canadian speedster Jake Hansen (50.23) were separated by an effort from MK’s Radek Meidl on the powerplay for a final score of 5-2.
Head coach Danny Stewart said: “I don’t think we were great.
“We were a little sloppy at times but we found a way to win.
“When you get up three early it’s easy to take your foot of the gas and ‘Heds’ made some big saves there in the second.
“Credit to them, they are a couple of bodies down and they will only get better so we’re happy with the two points.”
Victory over MK followed Saturday’s 5-1 defeat to Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup.
