The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze wrapped up a perfect pre-season campaign with a 12-0 victory over Kyiv Capitals at Skydome Arena on Sunday.
Blaze began the game without dynamic forward Alessio Luciani and Mat Robson got the start in net with Cam Gray sitting out. Kyiv also made a change in goal with Nazar Boiko coming in for Boris Babik.
Boiko was beaten twice in the opening six minutes, first by Mike Kennedy (3.26) who finished a Michael Regush rush pass through the goalie’s legs.
A rebound from Jakob Stridsberg’s hard shot was then converted by Zach Heintz at 5.22 which signalled a goalie chance as the 20-year-old was replaced by the more experienced Babik.
Kennedy was on the board again at 14.05, firing Jack Hopkins’ drop pass past Babik to make it 3-0 to end the first period.
It was 4-0 just 36 seconds into the second period when Grayson Constable scored on a two-on-one opportunity while short-handed.
At the end of the same penalty-kill, another odd man advantage at 21.14 allowed Coventry to make it 5-0 through Alexander Kuqali.
Home-grown Zack McKenzie was next on the board, finishing neatly from a Jackson Cressey pass on 26.22.
Coventry made it seven at 35.15 when Constable showed good strength along the boards, and Heintz was then able to find Hopkins free in the slot.
17-year-old Brynley Capps’ second of the pre-season added an eighth with the Brit re-directing a Kennedy effort past a frustrated Babik at 36.40.
The goals continued to come for the confident Blaze side with Kim Tallberg adding a ninth with a fine solo effort just 23 seconds after Capps’ marker.
Hat-trick hero from Saturday Chase Gresock used the powerplay to score Coventry’s tenth on 40.37 and Brandon Alderson struck number 11 seconds into another man advantage at 54.01.
Morten Jurgens put a stamp on Coventry’s dominance, scoring via a two-on-one at 58.54 for a final score of 12-0.
The Estonian’s goal was Blaze’s 33rd in just four games as they gear up to face the Glasgow Clan in their Elite League opener on Sunday 15th September (5.30pm) at Skydome Arena.
As a show of respect, the two teams shared a handshake following the final buzzer as the Skydome crowd stood to applaud a fantastic weekend of hockey.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
