The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze began their 2023/24 pre-season campaign with a convincing 8-3 win over the NIHL’s Milton Keynes Lightning.
Canadian Taran Kozun made his debut in between the Blaze pipes while former Coventry goalie Jordan Hedley was his opposite number for Milton Keynes.
Lightning’s recruit Rory Herman impressed in the early going and his goal opened the scoring at 4.30.
Blaze hit back just ten seconds later through their Man of the Match Alessio Luciani who finished neatly from close range.
Herman’s second came on the powerplay at 10.25 but again the visitors lead was short lived as Tyler Kirkup levelled from a smart Kobe Roth pass at 11.50.
20 seconds later the Elite League Coventry took their first lead of the night as James Shearer’s shot from the blue-line alluded Hedley to make it 3-2 at 12.10.
Lightning Man of the Match Ben Solder who had assists on MK’s first two goals got himself on the scoresheet at 16.38 tying the scoreline 3-3 to end the first period.
Danny Kristo’s double at 24.12 and 28.44 took the game away from MK in the second period and from then on Coventry took complete control, particularly on the powerplay scoring three straight.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
