The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze added another two points to their Elite League tally with a composed and clinical 2-4 victory over the Dundee Stars at Dundee Ice Arena on Saturday night.
The hosts were handed an early opportunity to seize momentum with a powerplay inside the opening minutes, but it was Blaze who struck first while shorthanded. Top scorer Matthew Gleason showcased his pace to break clear before finishing confidently with a wrap-around effort past Emil Kruse at 3.40 for a 0-1 lead.
Gleason nearly doubled his tally, again while the Blaze were penalty killing just before the midway mark of the period, but Kruse reacted sharply to deny his backhand attempt.
Coventry’s penalty troubles carried into the second period and eventually proved costly. With William Boysen serving a minor, the Stars capitalised as Spence Naas forced home a loose puck at 26.41 to level the game. Assists went to Johnny Curran and Drydn Dow.
The Blaze response was immediate. Just 56 seconds later, Alessio Luciani reacted quickest to a rebound, firing home at 27.37 to restore the visitors’ advantage, with Artie Buzoverya collecting the assist.
Man of the Match Luciani added his second of the night at 34.16, finding space in the slot and beating Kruse glove side to make it 1-3, assisted by Colton Saucerman.
Dundee refused to let the game drift away and pulled one back just 56 seconds later. Jonathan McBean finished smartly at 35.12, with Ben Almquist and Justin Bean providing the assists to reduce the deficit to 2-3 heading into the final period.
The third period saw the Stars taking three penalties, which allowed Blaze to manage the final 20 minutes professionally.
Kruse was withdrawn for the extra skater with 1.14 remaining, but with less than a second left on the clock, defenceman Jordan Power sealed the victory, firing into the empty net to confirm a hard-earned 2-4 result.
Photo credit: Derek Black
