In 2009/10 the Coventry Blaze celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a fourth league championship in the space of six seasons.
Coach Paul Thompson’s new signings were key as Blaze returned to being champions after being runners-up the previous season.
Danish International Peter Hirsch was signed in net, Jason Robinson and Brian Lee were brought in to add physicality to the blue-line, while Greg Chambers and Luke Fulghum came in to offer strong secondary scoring to Adam Calder and Dan Carlson.
Brad Cruickshank was a mid-season addition, and he reunited with Chambers and Greg Owen who previously played together with Basingstoke Bison.
The season started with a Challenge Cup run that disappointingly ended at the group stage, but the Elite League’s newly created 20–20 hockey tournament proved more of a success and Blaze were losing finalists to the Sheffield Steelers.
The 4-on-4 competition included a crushing 6-0 victory over bitter rivals Nottingham Panthers, which came much to the amusement of the Sheffield faithful where the event was held.
Blaze grew into the season, and opposition found them difficult to contain. Fulghum bagged 48 goals, Carlson and Calder continued to dominate, the creative Chambers amassed 75 points and Jonathan Weaver provided an offensive punch from the blue-line with 67 points.
Current coach Danny Stewart and Derek Campbell provided the sand-paper, and each scored crucial goals along the way.
Brits Tom Watkins, Russell Cowley and Joe Henry all also played important parts, as did stalwart of the Blaze organisation Matty Soderstrom.
The title race went all the way to the final weekend, and with Blaze bruised and battered a victory was needed in the penultimate game in Edinburgh to avoid a winner takes all clash against the second-place and surging Belfast Giants.
Blaze gained a two-goal lead, but with a minute to go found themselves a goal down and the big title-decider against the Giants looked likely.
But the late Captain Calder tied the score with 28 seconds remaining and took the game to overtime. In the additional period, his hat-trick goal sealed the sensational comeback and the league championship.
Calder left the club for the following season and his goodbye was an emotional event, leaving behind many incredible memories.
Despite making the Playoff Semi-Finals for a fourth year running, an exhausted Coventry were beaten in Nottingham by the Cardiff Devils.
Photo credit: Mark Tredgold
Thompson reflects on 2009/10
Honouring our 10th anniversary
The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze will go Retro and honour our 10th anniversary season on Sunday vs. Manchester Storm (5.30pm) at Skydome Arena.
All players will wear a special Five-on-3 Heritage jersey which takes inspiration from the tenth anniversary shirt and we invite fans to join us in the celebration of our history by wearing your favourite vintage jersey.
Raffles
#16 Kim Tallberg’s Hertiage Jersey will be the shirt off the back raffle prize on the night of the game and the online raffle to win #11 Kobe Roth’s shirt is now open and ends at 4pm on Sunday.
The Retro game is one of just three remaining at Skydome Arena in the 2023/24 Elite League regular season and it’s a big one as Blaze aim to secure a post-season playoff spot.
Call 02476630693 or visit the Skydome Arena Box Office in person.
