Despite a spirited fightback, the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze lost a special teams battle, falling 5-4 to the Glasgow Clan at Braehead Arena on Saturday.
Coventry had three early opportunities to put their league-leading powerplay to use, as the Clan took three minor penalties in the opening ten minutes. However, Glasgow’s penalty kill stood firm, and they used the momentum to open the scoring at 14.40. Man of the Match Deven Sideroff found the net, tipping Chris McKay’s shot from the point past Robson.
The Clan then capitalised on their first powerplay to double the lead at 18.55. Mitchell Heard slotted home at the far post, with assists from Sideroff and Tyson McLellan.
Another powerplay goal followed at 24.53, with Liam Finlay making it 3-0, assisted by Matt Berry and Heard.
Blaze had two powerplay opportunities of their own in the second period, but the Clan struck again at 29.47, with Sideroff netting his second of the night five-hole on Robson, assisted by Cade Neilson and Chris Martenet, extending Glasgow’s lead to 4-0.
Coventry finally found a response at 35.00, as top-scorer Chase Gresock saw his shot deflect in off former Blaze player Alex Forbes to get the visitors on the board.
At 43.26, the game looked to be out of reach when Lachowicz added the Clan’s fifth goal, assisted by Sideroff with his fourth point of the game and Neilson, who registered his second assist.
However, the Blaze mounted a late surge. At 49.23, Jackson Cressey found the net with Brandon Alderson providing the assist. Just over two minutes later, at 51.46, Alessio Luciani reduced the deficit further, again set up by Alderson.
With 2.44 remaining, Cressey bagged his second of the night to bring Coventry within one, with goaltender Mat Robson pulled for the extra skater.
Blaze continued to push, pulling Robson once more in search of a dramatic equaliser. They even had a 6-on-4 powerplay opportunity in the dying seconds, but the Clan dug deep to hold on for the victory.
Photo credit: Al Goold
