COVENTRY Blaze made the perfect start to the new Elite League season with back-to-back wins against Manchester Storm and Nottingham Panthers respectively.
Blaze won a thrilling contest 5-4 against the Storm in overtime at Altrincham Ice Dome before then seeing off Nottingham 2-1 to take four points from their opening two fixtures of the season.
The results mean Blaze sit second in the Elite League table behind Cardiff Devils who were the only other team to start the campaign with a perfect record.
And Blaze were made to work for their home win against the Panthers as defenceman Garrett Johnston opened his Coventry account at 2.47 at the Skydome Arena.
Blaze doubled their lead through Johnny Curran at 8.29 with what proved to be the match-winning goal.
Nottingham responded through Tanner Sorenson at 32.35 in the second period before a goalless third period ensured Blaze held on to claim the points despite the Panthers twice hitting the goalframe.
The game was a total contrast of their 5-4 win in Manchester as Storm’s Jesper Ohrvall opened the scoring from a power play at 10.42 after the Blaze were penalised for some early ill-discipline.
And the home side extended their advantage through Joe Hazeldine at 17.31 with a speculative effort from the blue line.
In a game laden with penalties, it was Blaze’s turn to make the most of their numerical advantage as new signing Colton Yellow Horn struck at 22.27 before newly-appointed captain Nate Halbert levelled at 27.05.
And the comeback was complete when Czech forward Radek Veselý put the Blaze ahead at 44.12 scoring on a move which he originally started.
However, Coventry’s lead was short lived as Jake Brickell beat an unsighted Paavo Holsa just four minutes later.
The two teams traded goals again as Blaze’s Kim Tallberg restored their advantage with 8.50 remaining on the clock only for Storm to hit back through Ohrvall at 53.45.
However, Blaze finally clinched the points with just 32 seconds remaining when Curran finished neatly when one-on-one from Brady Norrish’s stretch pass.
Blaze are next in action away at Nottingham Panthers on Saturday, September 17 with the face-off at 7pm at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham.
