JORDAN Pietus made it a week to remember after celebrating his contract extension by registering his first Elite League points as Blaze beat Edinburgh Captials 4-2 at the Skydome on Thursday evening.
Ned Lukacevic scored the opening goal in the tenth minutes before Paul Zanette levelled for the visitors two minutes later.
Carl Lauzon, assisted by man of the match Pietrus, restored Blaze’s lead within 43 seconds and the latter opened up a two-goal cushion on 15 minutes.
After a fight between Boris Valabik (Blaze) and Kyle Flemington on the half-hour mark, Taylor Dickin reduced the deficit on 44 minutes before Cale Tanaka added a fourth for Blaze three minutes later to wrap up a 4-2 win.
“The line of Lauzon, Lukacevic and Pietrus did a really good job for us and got us going,” said Blaze coach Chuck Weber.
“(Russell) Cowley, (Ashley) Tait and (Ross) Venus also did a good job in shutting down (Ryan) Hayes, along with (Jim) Jorgensen and (Kevin) Noble, and limiting his offensive chances.
“Tanaka scored a nice tic-tac-toe goal with assists from (Neil) Trimm and (Drew) Fisher and Boris jumped up and fought Flemington after a questionable hit on Cowley.
“We had a couple of big penalty kills in the third period and we moved the puck well on the powerplay. It was a gritty performance.”
Brett Robinson missed the game through injury and is doubtful for the Challenge Cup ties against Cardiff Devils and Manchester Storm this weekend.
