Coventry Blaze moved into seventh place in the Elite Ice Hockey League and to within a point of sixth with a 4-1 victory over Glasgow Clan at the Skydome.
“I think it was a good game, everyone battled hard and we executed the game plan,” said Blaze’s Brynley Capps. “A huge win.”
The Blaze started brightly, peppering Liam Souliere’s net with early pressure before opening the scoring on the powerplay at 06:42. Jordan Power’s shot rebounded off Souliere’s pads and Justin Mismash reacted quickest to fire the puck into the top corner.
Clan had a golden opportunity to respond with a 5-on-3 advantage lasting 1:16, but Mat Robson produced a series of key saves to preserve the lead. Coventry thought they had doubled their advantage with 4:17 left in the opening period when Kim Tallberg’s shot from the point was tipped in by Michael Pelech, but the officials ruled no goal on the ice. A video review confirmed the decision.
The Blaze did extend their lead in the second period through Pelech, who struck soon after leaving the penalty box. The forward collected a pass from Elijah Barriga and finished neatly to make it 2-0. Chances continued at both ends, with Grayson Constable and Matthew Gleason both going close on breakaways, while Austin Mitchell-King hit the post for the visitors.
“That’s a bad game by us, Coventry took everything we gave to them,” admitted Clan’s Joe Hazeldine. “It’s really disappointing after such a good game on Friday night that we came in here and imploded. We have seven games left and have to fight for position in the playoffs, and we have to be better than we were today.”
Capps added a memorable moment for the home side just under nine minutes into the third period, poking home a loose puck to score his first professional goal and spark celebrations on the Blaze bench. Colton Saucerman added a fourth from the point with 8:08 remaining to put the result beyond doubt.
“It was magnificent,” said Capps of his goal. “It’s a dream come true, you want to score that first goal. I couldn’t get it last season but to get it in my first game of this season is pretty cool.”
Robert Lachowicz’s shot with just over five minutes to play deflected off Hazeldine and past Robson to pull one back for Clan, but the visitors could not mount a comeback.
The victory was Coventry’s fifth over Glasgow this season, and their third by a 4-1 scoreline. It also completed a perfect weekend for the Blaze as they turn their attention to the upcoming Challenge Cup Final.
Photo: Scott Stevens