The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze put up a fierce fight in honour of Dayle ‘Keeno’ Keen but were edged out 4-6 by the Nottingham Panthers in a thrilling Elite League encounter at the Skydome Arena on Sunday.
Despite a valiant effort, including four powerplay goals, Blaze were unable to overcome a Panthers side that capitalised on quick transitions and clinical finishing.
Didrik Henbrant and Otto Nieminen each netted twice as Nottingham secured a four-point weekend at Coventry’s expense.
Blaze gave a home debut to Canadian defenceman Bray Pouteau with Alexander Kuqali missing out.
Following an emotional pre-game tribute to Keeno, the Blaze assistant coach who sadly passed away almost a year ago, Panthers dominated the first period.
They got ahead through their Man of the Match Henbrant early, who fired past Mat Robson after being set up by Matt Alfaro at 05.14.
The visitors then struck twice in quick succession with Nieminen converting a feed from Reid Stefanson and Hugo Roy (16.19) before Mitch Fossier hammered home a one-timer from the right circle just before the buzzer (1950).
A fiery opening to the second period saw Blaze defenceman Mike Kennedy drop the gloves with the all-action Henbrant.
Coventry then roared back with a clinical powerplay display, scoring three goals in just over two minutes.
Zach Vinnell fired a shot from the high slot to put Blaze on the board (29.14), before Zach Heintz redirected a close-range effort to cut the deficit to one (30.13).
The Skydome erupted as Brandon Alderson completed the comeback, rifling in a one-timer from the left circle to level the game (31.15).
However, just as Blaze seemed to have momentum, Panthers regained the lead at five-on-five. A goalmouth scramble saw Stefanson get the final touch to restore Nottingham’s advantage (37.31).
Blaze’s hopes of completing the comeback were dented early in the third when Henbrant pounced on a loose puck in his own zone, using blistering speed to race down the left before picking out the top right-hand corner at 41.43.
Panthers extended their lead when Nieminen netted his second of the night with a low shot from the right circle, finishing off a swift transition play on 45.46.
Blaze refused to back down and struck again on the powerplay, with Terrance Amorosa’s long-range shot from a face-off play finding its way through traffic at 48.31.
However, despite late pressure, Nottingham held firm to close out the victory and secure four points from the back-to-back weekend.
Photo credit: Scott Stevens
