CHUCK Weber feels his Coventry Blaze side deserved more than a point from their 1-0 overtime defeat to Braehead Clan in the Elite League.
Although Blaze’s Challenge Cup woes continued with a 6-2 defeat at Nottingham Panthers on Saturday, Weber’s side showed much more desire the following evening at the Skydome.
In a feisty start to the game, Blaze defenceman Boris Valabik and Clan blue-liner Marcus Gotz were ejected following a seventh-minute melee.
Blaze goaltender Brian Stewart and Clan’s Chris Holt could not be breached inside 60 minutes, with former Stanley Cup winner Ric Jackman earning the visitors the extra point.
Stewart made 35 saves and Holt posted a 43-save shut-out as both goalies picked up the respective man of the match awards.
“I thought we deserved more,” said Weber, whose side has picked up three points from four opening matches in the Elite League.
“We had 43 shots and created more scoring chances and we were not chasing the puck around as much.
“We were not perfect and we need to do much better with our puck management but we created more five on five than we have for a while.
“It was a great bounce-back from Stewie, we didn’t give up as many Grade A chances in the house and we cut down on the odd-man rushes.
“It could have gone either way but I felt we deserved a better fate. Ric Jackman showed why he played in the NHL, he ripped a wrist shot on the rush which was an NHL goal.
“Holt also showed why he was a KHL All-Star. He had a bad night in Edinburgh but he made some nice saves and he has good rebound control.
“We just need to figure out a way on the road – we are awful on a Saturday and then better on a Sunday and we cannot keep doing that.
“But it was a good point and something to build on. We need to stay together as a group and realise that sometimes we need to keep it simple to be successful.”
This weekend Blaze face Belfast Giants in a double header that starts in Northern Ireland on Saturday and ends in Coventry the following evening.
