The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze completed a four-point Elite League weekend with a commanding 4-1 victory over Glasgow Clan at Skydome Arena on Saturday night.
Blaze handed a season debut to two-way forward Brynley Capps, while Mat Robson got the start in goal. Glasgow opted for Liam Soulière between the pipes, with Sami Aittokallio rested after recording a win over Cardiff Devils on Friday.
Coventry opened the scoring on the game’s first powerplay opportunity. At 6.30, Grant Mismash fired home his 19th goal of the regular season with assists from Jere Vertanen and Adam Robbins to put the Blaze ahead 1-0.
Midway through the period, the Blaze faced an extended 5-on-3 penalty kill after William Boysen and Mike Pelech were penalised just 44 seconds apart. Coventry dug deep to protect their lead and thought they had doubled it at 15.43 when Pelech found the net, but the effort was ruled out for a high stick.
Glasgow created chances early in the second period. Grayson Constable was denied by Soulière on a breakaway and the Clan also struck the post. Coventry were then forced to kill another penalty to Pelech, but the veteran soon made amends.
At 29.12, Pelech’s effort counted, finishing from passes by Elijiah Barriga and Colton Saucerman to extend the Blaze lead to 2-0.
Soulière again produced a big save later in the period, outwaiting Matthew Gleason on a Blaze breakaway with seven minutes remaining in the second, but Coventry carried their two-goal advantage into the second intermission.
The highlight of the night arrived in the third period and lifted the Skydome roof.
At 48.54, Capps scored his first professional goal, finishing from Kim Tallberg and Alessio Luciani to make it 3-0.
The Blaze powerplay struck again shortly afterwards. At 51.42, Saucerman fired home with the man advantage, assisted by William Boysen and Matthew Gleason to push the home side ahead 4-0.
With six minutes remaining, Barriga looked certain to add another but Soulière produced a stunning glove save with the net open, earning a sporting acknowledgement from the Blaze forward after the play.
The Clan responded moments later to deny Robson the shutout. At 54.41, Robert Lachowicz scored from Joe Hazeldine and Felix Paré to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
The game played out with the Blaze securing the convincing victory, carrying strong momentum into Wednesday’s Challenge Cup Final at Motorpoint Arena against Nottingham Panthers.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
