COVENTRY Blaze made a winning start to the 2024/25 Elite League season with a 4-2 victory against Glasgow Clan.
Blaze took command of the game in the second period courtesy of goals from Mike Regush and Nick Seitz before Alessio Luciani extended Coventry’s lead at the Skydome Arena.
And David Clements sealed the win at the death after Glasgow threatened a late comeback.
Neither side managed to break the deadlock in a goalless first period despite both teams enjoying plentiful time on the powerplay.
Blaze netminder Mat Robson produced a stunning save at 26.28 and the home side took the lead soon after.
Canadian centreman Regush scored Blaze’s first goal of the season at 27.11 when he converted a cross-ice pass into the net after good work from Chase Gresock and Grayson Constable.
And Blaze doubled their lead at 28.58 as Seitz expertly finished Jackson Cressey’s pass at the back post to score his first professional goal with Glasgow short-handed.
Luciani then struck on the powerplay at 48.49 with Clan’s Deven Sideroff in the penalty box for a high-sticking double minor which required Alexander Kuqali to receive medical attention.
However, Glasgow reduced the deficit at 52.47 as Cole Ully finished past Robson when one-on-one.
And the visitors set up a grandstand finish at 58.54 when Sideroff found the net after Luciani received a game misconduct penalty for spearing with Clan also pulling goalie Landon Bow for an extra skater.
Clan pulled their goalie again as they searched for a dramatic equaliser only for Clements to seal the points for Blaze with 31 seconds remaining as he fired the puck the full length of the ice into an empty net.
Blaze head coach, Kevin Moore said: “I thought we adjusted to Elite League play really well. I think once we got through the first five minutes, guys stick to their habits and the things that we have been working on and they did a lot of things that you need to do in winning hockey.
“So I was pleased about that because Glasgow are skilled and they come hard and so you have to pick up your pace and I think our guys did a good job of that.”
Coventry are next in action against Nottingham Panthers on Saturday, September 21 in the Challenge Cup with the face-off at 7pm at the Motorpoint Arena.
Blaze then host Sheffield Steelers on Sunday, September 22 with the face-off at 5.30pm at the Skydome.
