A FOURTH-SUCCESSIVE win sent Coventry Blaze up to second in the Elite Ice Hockey League after victories over Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.
Blaze followed up Saturday’s 5-3 away win at the Steelers with a narrow 4-3 triumph against the Panthers at the Skydome Arena on Sunday, resulting in the club’s second consecutive four-point weekend.
Despite later suffering defeat, Nottingham initially went in front with a powerplay goal from Adam Deutsch (4.18), which remained the only goal until Evan Bloodoff (35.43) came to Coventry’s rescue in the second period.
The Panthers resumed their lead when Ollie Betteridge (39.11) finished from Sam Herr’s pass, with Andrew Johnson’s leveller (39.53) seven seconds before the end of the period proving crucial.
Ferrara put the hosts in front for the first time (43.49) when flashing the puck into the net with a ferocious strike, though Brett Bulmer (45.45) instantly pegged Blaze back at 3-3.
A shot from Dillon Eichstadt was turned home by Ferrara (48.12) for the game winner, a goal which the visitors were unable to find a reply to despite late pressure.
In Saturday’s trip to Sheffield, Coventry went behind to Robert Dowd’s (2.26) opener but quickly dragged themselves back on level terms when Bloodoff (7.00) struck on the powerplay.
Charles Corcoran (11.19) made it 2-1 to the visitors before Dowd (18.30) levelled affairs to end the period at 2-2.
After a goalless second period, Matt Pohlkamp (41.46) and Bloodoff (42.59) hit quickfire goals to put the visitors in command, though Lucas Sandstrom’s (51.50) reply prompted a tense finale.
With the Steelers goaltender forward for a final attack, Chris Pohlkamp found the empty net with a long-distance strike to wrap up the points (59.58).
Coventry face Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup tonight (Wednesday), before a double-header against Belfast Giants on Saturday (away, 7pm) and on Sunday (home, 5.30pm).
