COVENTRY Blaze made a losing start to the Elite League season after suffering a 3-0 defeat against Cardiff Devils.
Blaze began their league campaign with defeat at the Vindico Arena in a tight game as the home side scored two late goals to settle the contest.
Coventry then suffered a 5-1 home defeat against Sheffield Steelers in the Challenge Cup at the Skydome Arena.
Kevin Moore’s side made the worst possible start to the Elite League season as Cardiff’s Joey Martin struck at 3.46 to break the deadlock.
Martin reacted quickest to finish on the rebound after good work from Ryan Barrow and Evan Mosey.
Blaze thought they had drawn level later in the first period after the puck crossed the Cardiff goalline. However, the referee had already blown his whistle before Coventry struck.
And both teams failed to convert powerplay opportunities as Cardiff took a narrow advantage into the second period.
Coventry enjoyed several spells of pressure in the middle period but could not find a way past Devils netminder Ben Bowns.
Blaze goaltender Mat Robson kept the visitors in the contest in the third period as he stood tall to deny Brett Perlini on a breakaway.
Cardiff almost sealed the points when Kohen Olischefski tipped Brandon Estes’ initial shot onto the crossbar.
Coventry killed a late penalty before Moore pulled Robson for an extra skater.
However, a loose pass allowed Riley Brandt to finish into an empty net at 58.53 to double Cardiff’s lead.
And Perlini completed the scoring at 59.26 with another empty net goal from distance.
Coventry then suffered a heavy home defeat against the Steelers in their penultimate group game in the Challenge Cup.
Sheffield’s Clifford Pu scored a first period hat-trick to help the Steelers take control of the game inside the first quarter hour.
Both teams squandered early powerplay opportunities before Sheffield took the lead short-handed at 9.17 as Pu broke free and finished neatly past Robson.
And Pu struck again at 11.29 as he finished a two-on-one break from Mikko Juusola’s cross-ice pass.
Pu completed his hat-trick at 12.35 – scoring three goals in the space of just over three minutes – to leave the home side stunned.
Blaze had a goal ruled out early in the second period with Grant Mismash’s effort chalked off for goaltender interference.
And the Steelers extended their lead on the powerplay at 27.54 as Evan Jasper punished Blaze who failed to convert four earlier chances with a man advantage.
Coventry eventually found the net at 39.47 when Mismash finished from Alessio Luciani and Sam Ruffin’s assist.
A late flashpoint saw Sheffield’s Stephen Harper assessed for a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for high-sticking following a clash with David Clements.
However, Blaze again failed to capitalised on the man advantage before Mitchell Balmas completed the scoring for the Steelers at 59.47 on the powerplay.
Coventry are next in action against Sheffield on Saturday, October 18 with the face-off at 7pm at the Skydome.
And Blaze then entertain Glasgow Clan on Sunday, October 19 with the face-off at 5.30pm at the Skydome.
