COVENTRY Blaze coach Danny Stewart has called on fans to get behind the team for tonight’s crunch EIHL fixture against the Edinburgh Capitals at the Skydome (7.30pm).
Fresh from their impressive 5-1 win against Nottingham Panthers, the Blaze continue their efforts to push for an Elite League playoff spot tonight against a much-improved Edinburgh side.
The Capitals, who face a gruelling four-game schedule this week, sit six points behind the Blaze – though they have four games in hand.
Tonight’s fixture will be the fourth meeting between both teams this season, with Edinburgh having won two of the first three – though Blaze were victorious in the last meeting between the sides, winning 4-1.
When asked about the importance of Tuesday’s game, Danny Stewart pointed to the impact a large noisy Blaze crowd can have on his sides chances.
He told coventryblaze.co.uk: “Based on this result (the Panthers victory) we played some of our best hockey.
“Tonight we have to create our own atmosphere on the ice, and hopefully the fans will again come out in large numbers.
“It’s a play-off game for us, it’s Edinburgh, who have a few games in hand on us.
“Winning the game on Tuesday allows us to push them to eight points behind us, not only that but we have to find a way to move closer to the teams above us.”
Blaze will remain shortbenched tonight without the services of Liam Stewart, who is currently back in America, and it’s unlikely Kevin Noble will ice.
It is hoped Stewart can return to the Blaze roster on Saturday for their away game against Cardiff.
