The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze earned a valuable two Elite League points with a convincing 2-5 road victory over the Dundee Stars in Scotland.
The Blaze were boosted by the return of defenceman Colton Saucerman, who had missed several weeks through injury. Ivan Chukarov also returned on the blue line, with Connor Russell sitting out, while Artie Buzoverya was scratched.
Dundee netminder Emil Kruse ensured the Stars stayed level in the early stages. The Swede pulled off a desperation save to deny Matthew Gleason just 20 seconds into the contest, before the Blaze failed to capitalise on a 3-on-0 opportunity moments later.
Play went end to end, with Blaze’s Mat Robson also called into action at the other end as both sides traded early chances.
The Stars opened the scoring at 13.54. Robson made a big double save during a scramble in front, but the puck fell kindly for Craig Garrigan, who fired home with assists from former Blaze forward Morten Jürgens and Drydn Dow.
Coventry responded strongly and drew level before the first intermission. Grant Mismash found space in the offensive zone and his shot trickled through Kruse, with Adam Robbins on hand to tap the puck home at 18.02.
The Blaze started the second period brightly but were unable to take the lead. Kruse made a string of saves, denying Mike Pelech, William Boysen and the ever-dangerous Gleason in particular.
Robson was then forced to bail Coventry out following a costly turnover, before both teams were handed powerplay opportunities. Once back at even strength, chances continued to be exchanged, but it was the Blaze who finished the period in clinical fashion.
Former Dundee Star Elijah Barriga made it 1-2 at 36.10, crashing the net to convert with assists from Mismash and Jere Vertanen.
Coventry doubled their advantage at 38.25 on the powerplay, as Boysen hammered a one-timer past Kruse from a Jordan Power feed to make it 1-3, with 1.06 remaining in the second period.
The Stars pulled one back early in the third at 41.02. Robson made the initial stop but could do nothing to prevent Matthew Boudens bundling the rebound over the line, assisted by Otto Nieminen.
Barriga struck against his former side again at 49.47 to restore Coventry’s two-goal cushion. Boysen released him on a breakaway and the forward deked before sliding the puck through the five-hole for 2-4.
Robbins sealed the victory with his second of the night, finishing off a superb passing move from man-of-the-match Mismash, who claimed his third assist of the game, to make it 2-5 with 6.47 remaining.
The Blaze closed out the contest in disciplined fashion to secure an important two points, keeping Dundee 11 points behind them in the Elite League standings, albeit with the Stars holding three games in hand, while also closing the gap on the teams above them.
