JOHNNY Curran scored the only goal as Coventry Blaze returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Cardiff Devils on an emotional night at the Skydome Arena.
The fixture was Coventry’s first on home ice since the death of Blaze assistant coach Dayle ‘Keeno’ Keen as the club paid a fitting tribute to him prior to the face-off.
And the win means Blaze sit sixth in the Elite League standings while putting a dent in Cardiff’s quest to chase down league leaders Sheffield Steelers.
Coventry made a bright start but were unable to find a way past an inspired Ben Bowns in the Cardiff net.
At the other end, former Devil Taran Kozun produced a similarly strong performance in the Blaze goal as the first period ended scoreless.
The game opened up in the second period as Bowns denied both Kobe Roth and Mitch Cook on one-on-one chances.
And both teams also hit the post as the two netminders began to steal the show.
However, Blaze eventually broke the deadlock at 41.06 when Curran scored a rebound from Tyler Kirkup’s initial effort.
The home side had a chance to double their lead soon after as Bowns denied JD Dudek before Cardiff’s Cole Sanford hit Kozun’s pipes at the other end as the Blaze netminder recorded a 29-save shutout.
Devils went close again late on when Cody Donaghey hammered the puck against the crossbar as Blaze just about held on despite Cardiff pulling Bowns for the extra skater at the death.
Coventry are next in action away at Fife Flyers on Saturday, March 9 with the face-off at 7.15pm at Fife Ice Arena.
Blaze then travel to Dundee Stars on Sunday, March 10 with the face-off at 5pm at Dundee Ice Arena.
