The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze delivered a resounding 7-1 victory over the Dundee Stars on a memorable night for British defenceman David Clements, who marked his 500th Elite League game in style.
Prior to the game, Clements was honoured with a pre-match presentation, and he quickly made his presence felt. The veteran blue-liner had an assist on the opening goal at 8.20, with his shot from the blue line deftly tipped into the net by Alessio Luciani.
Dundee responded quickly, levelling the score at 1-1 at 12:38. Cole MacDonald’s floating wrist shot evaded Blaze netminder Mat Robson, but that was as good as it got for the away side.
Coventry dominated the second period, scoring four unanswered goals to establish a commanding lead. Luciani struck again at 21.27, netting his second of the night and 11th of the season off a precise cross-ice pass from Grayson Constable.
The Blaze’s league-leading powerplay came alive shortly afterward. At 23.42, Nick Seitz baffled Stars goaltender Richard Sabol with a no-look shot, scoring on Coventry’s first man-advantage of the game.
Chase Gresock, fresh off a highlight-reel ‘Michigan’ goal earlier in the week, continued his stellar form at 30.33. He finished Mike Regush’s patient setup from the slot to extend Coventry’s lead to 4-1.
Captain Kim Tallberg’s relentless forechecking paid off at 38.20, forcing a turnover deep in Dundee’s zone. Although Sabol stopped Tallberg’s initial effort, Zach Heintz capitalised on the rebound to make it 5-1 by the end of the second period.
The Blaze added two more goals in the final frame. Tallberg got on the scoresheet himself at 55.53, as his shot deflected off Sabol and looped into the net.
Defenceman Terrance Amorosa put the exclamation point on the victory with a late blast at 57.55.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
