A Man of the Match performance from netminder Mat Robson and clinical finishing helped the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze to an important 5-3 Challenge Cup victory over the Guildford Flames at the Spectrum.
Looking to respond after a heavy 7-1 defeat to the Cardiff Devils on Friday, Guildford started strongly and dominated the opening exchanges, forcing Robson into several early stops. Their pressure was rewarded at 8.22, when Tyler Busch fired home a one-timer that squeezed through the Blaze goaltender’s pads.
Coventry responded immediately. Just a minute later, Alessio Luciani worked the puck smartly behind the Flames goal before feeding Grant Mismash, who opened his Blaze account following his summer move from the Belfast Giants.
Both sides continued to test the goaltenders, and tempers flared at the buzzer as the first period ended with a major scuffle.
The Blaze edged ahead just 1.41 into the second period. Capitalising on a Flames turnover, Kim Tallberg, while being hauled down, managed to find Mike Pelech, who netted his first Coventry goal. Despite the net being off its moorings, a video review confirmed the puck would have crossed the line regardless.
Guildford pushed hard for an equaliser, and Robson was forced into a fine save on a breakaway. The hosts were then handed a golden opportunity following consecutive Blaze penalties, giving them nearly two minutes of 5-on-3 powerplay time. However, Coventry defended superbly to preserve their advantage.
The Flames eventually levelled at 34.54, when Lewis Hook reacted quickest in a goalmouth scramble to make it 2–2. But the Blaze would go into the second intermission back in front, as captain Tallberg claimed his second assist of the night by setting up Luciani, who rifled a shot past Flames netminder Taz Burman from distance at 39.12.
Coventry doubled their lead early in the third period. With the man advantage, Jere Vertanen’s attempt was redirected into the net by birthday boy Matthew Gleason at 41.07 for 4-2.
Guildford immediately hit back through Cole Ully, who finished a move created by Jake Coughler just 45 seconds later. The hosts nearly tied the game seconds after, only for Robson and his defence to somehow keep the puck out during a frantic scramble.
Robson then produced the save of the night with a spectacular glove stop to deny Coughler once more, and his brilliance laid the foundation for Coventry to strike a decisive blow. At 51.39, Mack Stewart teed up Sam Ruffin, who marked his first Blaze goal to restore the two-goal cushion at 5-3.
Despite being outshot 61-25, the Blaze held firm, with Robson making a string of outstanding saves in the closing stages. Guildford pulled Burman for the extra skater in the final minutes, but they were unable to find a way past the inspired Blaze netminder again.
Photo credit: John Uwins
