COVENTRY BLAZE concluded their pre-season schedule with a 3-3 draw against Manchester Storm on Wednesday night.
Unusually, the game was halted on seven occasions as players were requested to skate around the rink in an attempt to clear the fog and mist built up as a result of the humid weather outside.
Despite the unusual case of heavy fog hindering players’ vision, Blaze took the early advantage as in form Bjorn Bombis teamed up with Matt Marquardt to put Coventry one goal ahead.
A rare shorthanded goal doubled Blaze’s lead as Swede Robin Bergman skated clear of an off-guard Storm defence to beat Storm netminder Phillip Spanswick comfortably.
Storm hit back with three goals of their own though as Paul Phillips and Mark Heatley lit the lamp in quick succession before Jack Prince floated a puck from the hash marks to put the visitors ahead.
Matt Marquardt scored his first of the night when hitting the back of the Storm net from a one-timer at 45.56.
With rink conditions deteriorating, officials decided against overtime and the game ended as a draw.
Danny Stewart will now work towards Blaze’s first Elite League game of the season on Sunday night as the Blaze welcome Belfast Giants to the Skydome Arena for a 5.15pm face-off.
