THE OBSERVER has teamed up with Coventry Blaze to provide readers with all the latest news and views from ‘inside the locker room’ at the Skydome.
This week Blaze media manager Rob Plaister looks back on a split weekend against the Fife Flyers and the hectic five days ahead for the Blaze which sees them face Nottingham on two occasions and Belfast at home on Saturday night.
Saturday night was a thrilling affair at the Skydome.
Plenty of goals together with good aggressive hockey from the Blaze saw us grab a deserved victory against Fife.
We were always going to be up against it at the return fixture in Scotland on Sunday – a long bus trip and with key personnel still out saw us disappointingly shut out.
It was a shame that Brenden Walker couldn’t make the game on Sunday due to illness, he was fantastic on Saturday night and has fitted into the team well.
One the ice, Walker reminds a little of Ryan Ginand – he has a selfish streak in him which is what all great players need.
When he sees an opportunity he goes for it and so far it has been working for him – he may not be the greatest player defensively but when it comes to a scoring opportunity Walker seems intent on taking it.
Time will tell if we see Brenden back in Coventry next season, but I for one hope the powers that be get him signed up.
Another stand out guy for the Blaze is defenceman Jim Jorgensen.
Jorgensen is a good guy, very disciplined on and off ice – they say you get out what you put in, and Jorgensen is certainly reaping the benefits of his hard work.
Our playoff rivals Manchester have put a fine run of recent form together.
Unbeaten in six games, the Storm are putting pressure on Chuck Weber’s men and we need to keep earning positive results to ensure we grab a playoff spot.
Tomorrow’s game against Nottingham is huge, we then have Belfast at the Skydome on Saturday and then away to Nottingham on Sunday – six points would be a very nice return.
