The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze secured a convincing 6-2 Elite League victory over the Dundee Stars on Valentine’s Night at the Skydome Arena.
The Blaze opened the scoring at 9.11 with a patient move that started behind their own net. Jack Hopkins picked out Alessio Luciani in the slot, and the forward made no mistake to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Dundee responded at 15.32 on the game’s first powerplay. Bradley Schoonbaert tipped home a Kameron Kielly shot to level the contest at 1-1.
The Stars edged ahead at 24.25 after capitalising on a Blaze mistake. On his Dundee debut, former Blaze forward Johnny Curran – recently arriving following a short spell with the Nottingham Panthers – fed Spencer Naas at the back door to make it 1-2.
Coventry hit back at 28.21. After Dundee missed the chance to extend their lead on an odd-man rush, the Blaze broke the other way and Grayson Constable finished a 2-on-1 opportunity, assisted by Adam Robbins, to restore parity at 2-2.
Just 38 seconds later, at 28.59, the Blaze were in front. William Boysen converted from close range after a smart feed from Elijiah Barriga to put the home side 3-2 ahead.
With 3.17 remaining in the second period, Coventry went to their first powerplay of the night and made it count. Grant Mismash’s shot rebounded off Dundee netminder Emil Kruse into the path of Robbins, who finished confidently for 4-2. Matthew Gleason picked up his third assist of the night on the play, while Mismash extended his point streak to 11 games.
The Blaze carried their momentum into the third period and stretched the lead to 5-2 at 49.05. Robbins grabbed his second of the game, redirecting a Kim Tallberg shot past Kruse.
Frustration crept in for the visitors at 50.22 when defenceman Jackson Desouza was assessed 2+2 for Interference and Unsportsmanlike Conduct. The Blaze capitalised on the extended powerplay, with captain Kim Tallberg converting at 52.38 to make it six for the home side and effectively seal the game.
Dundee were handed a third powerplay opportunity late on, but Blaze netminder Dershahn Stewart remained composed and solid between the pipes to ensure the 6-2 victory.
Photo credit: Scott Stevens
