The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze fell to a second consecutive pre-season defeat to Nottingham Panthers losing 1-4 at Skydome Arena on Sunday.
Nolan Kent got the start in net for Blaze who also bolstered their forward lines with the addition of Oliver Endicott.
Westin Michaud put the Panthers ahead at 10.10 before their Man of the Match Tyler Welsh doubled their advantage on 13.27.
Nottingham made it 3-0 at 24.35 when Alexander Lunsjo beat Kent following a cross ice pass from Didrik Henbrandt.
Blaze hit straight back with Jack Hopkins scoring his first Coventry goal against his former side at 24.46. The effort was a particularly special one, being registered with five British players on the ice; Hopkins, David Clements, Archie Hazeldine, Nathan Ripley and Endicott.
Coventry’s hopes of turning around the deficit were quickly tarnished at 30.50 when Panthers grabbed a fourth through Henbrandt who got his third point of the night.
Blaze pushed to close the gap and both Alessio Luciani and Kobe Roth were denied by Mike Robinson’s post.
That was the closest Coventry came as the game ended with a a scoreless third period and a 1-4 road win for the Panthers.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
