The DPD Coventry Blaze bounced back from Saturday night’s defeat to end their 2026/27 pre-season campaign in style, beating the Guildford Flames 6-4 at the Skydome Arena on Sunday.
Blaze made the perfect start and opened the scoring at 3:01, with Nick Grima finding the back of the net on the powerplay, thanks to an excellent screen by Ryan Richardson, to give Coventry an early lead.
Just 94 seconds later, the Blaze doubled their advantage. Man of the Match Griffin Ness made it 2-0 at 4:35, with Carson Musser finding the American forward with a good pass between the two Flames defencemen to provide the assist, as Coventry took control of the opening stages.
At 28:57, Hungarian defenceman Marko Csollak finished a well-built-up play, jumping up to score, assisted by Andrew Nielsen and William Boysen, putting the Blaze 3-0 ahead.
The home side added another just over seven minutes later. Boysen found the net at 36:36 with a powerful one-timer, with Matthew Gleason picking up the assist, as Coventry moved into a commanding 4-0 lead.
Guildford pulled one back early in the third period, with former Blaze defenceman Jordan Power scoring at 41:33 from Matt Alvaro, reducing the deficit to 4-1.
Coventry responded immediately. Just 25 seconds later, Jack Hopkins beat Adam Long in the Flames goal after the Brit replaced Justin Fazio to begin the third period. The goal, timed at 41:58, was assisted by Jaxon Ezman and Artem Buzoverya.
Griffin Ness then added his second of the evening at 42:59, with Buzoverya providing the assist, putting Coventry 6-1 ahead.
The Flames struck again at 46:10, with former Blaze forward Chase Gresock finding the net from Justin Ducharme to make it 6-2.
Guildford refused to go away and Cole Sanford pulled another back at 47:41, assisted by Josh Waller.
The Flames added a fourth through Nate Kallen at 53:21, again with Waller providing the assist, setting up a tense finish.
Coventry stood strong during the closing stages, however, seeing out the remaining minutes to secure a 6-4 victory and finish pre-season on a high.
