The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze earned a 6-3 pre-season victory over German opposition Essen Moskitos at Skydome Arena on Sunday.
With Archie Hazeldine and Terrance Amorosa still out of the line-up, Coach Kevin Moore invited club legend Russell Cowley to make a special guest appearance, marking a start to the 20th anniversary of Coventry’s Grand Slam season.
Billy Thorpe of the Peterborough Phantoms also played again with Canadian Mat Robson getting the start in net.
As per Friday, Blaze got on the board early when Jackson Cressey was able to re-direct a floated shot from defenceman Alexander Kuqali into the net at 4.06.
Chase Gresock continued his hot start to life in Coventry, scoring his fourth goal of the weekend and seventh point at 17.06.
Blaze were quickly three-ahead when Nick Seitz found blue-liner Kuqali in free space and he made no mistake finishing past Justus Roth on 17.47.
Coventry used their powerplay to make it four with four seconds remaining of the first period, Swede Jakob Stridsberg getting on the scoresheet from Mike Regush, his second assist of the game.
Essen tightened things up in the second period and used a man-advantage to get on the board at 34.23. Offensive defenceman Edmunds Augstkalns the scorer, beating Brit Will Bray who had earlier replaced Robson.
Blaze were forced to kill two more penalties in the remainder of the game, a total of five minors taken on the night, giving valued special team minutes, but tiring the home sides legs.
With 11.59 to go, the Mosquitoes cut the deficit to two, winning a puck battle behind the net before Captain Enrico Saccomani fired a quick shot past Bray to make it 4-2.
Thorpe had the highlight of the night with 6.41 to go, capping his impressive weekend within an Elite League squad with a goal.
Ralfe Rinke bagged a third for Essen at 55.23 and trying to close the gap further they pulled goalie Roth for the extra skater in the final minutes.
Greosck took advantage, showing good speed to score his second of the night and fifth in two games to wrap up the scoring 6-3 at 57.41.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
