Blaze looked to bounce back from defeat at Nottingham against an on form Clan, looking for another 4 point weekend. The gruelling EHIL fixture schedule did not take effect on either team as both teams started the game at pace.
Selmzer was first to test Perras, who set the tone for the game with the first of many game saving stops. Russ Cowley then went close before Weaver and Robinson found the bin in quick succession. Much like last night's Braehead game, the 5 on 3 power play didn't bring the desired goal, despite Cook hitting the bar when it would have been easier to net. Matty Haywood also went close.
A penalty for high sticking was called on Lee shortly before the game's first goal. Cook worked the puck on the left and fed Landry, whose laser blasted past Brett Jaeger. First blood to the Clan. A flurry of action resulted in both Walker and Richardson earning some box time. Perras then had to look sharp to deny Weaver twice in the lead up to Blaze's equaliser.
Blaze worked the PP well as Fulghum struck a distance shot through a ruck of players. Owen looked to have got the final touch, but the goal was credited to Fulghum at 13:34. Cook earned himself a penalty as the period ran it's course.
If Perras was the Clan hero in the first, Jaeger took the spoils in the second. Great stops from Krestanovich, Chaumont and Landry kept the score down, while JFP kept out Crowley and Selmser.Clan soon regained the lead on 26:59 when Adam walker's shot rebounded to Saturday night's Man of the Match, Matthew Wathier. The defenceman slotted home to silence the home crowd.
Farmer tried to hit back instantly but was shut out by Perras once more before Fulghum almost doubled his tally with a shot that smacked the bar. More penalties led to more chances with Campbell, Landry and Soderstrom looking to get on the scoresheet. However the next name to be added was that of Bruce Richardson.
Good net work by Richardson and Kyle Bruce found the Coach go round the back unchallenged to slot under the despairing Jaeger. 3-1 Clan at the end of the second, despite being outshot by the hosts.
Coventry needed to come out of the blocks to get anything from the game, but could not break down a resolute Clan defence.Nell, Cowley, Carlson and Lee had the best of the chances of the period but could not find a way through. Another Clan powerplay gave Cook and Landry some shots on Jaeger, before Carlson went 1 on 1 with Perras to no avail. Cook then smacked a shot off Jaeger's helmet with around 5 minutes left.
The complexion of the game briefly changed with 90 seconds remaining. Cruickshank netted again through a ruck of players after some great blocking form Bostock and Wedderburn.
Jon Landry then incurred a delay of game penalty, leaving Clan with a powerplay kill for the remainder of the match. Blaze called a time out, pulling Jaeger for the 2 man advantage.
The Clan defence thwarted all attempts and as the pressure mounted, Richardson made a ground block, got up, swivelled and shot in one fluid movement, finding the empty net in the process. 4-2 Clan with 2 seconds remaining. The Braehead fans that travelled to Coventry stood proud at the end as Weaver and Wedderburn received their MOTM awards.
Coventry fall a further 2 points behind Braehead in the race for 5th place in a game won by a team very much on form. Final Score at the Coventry SkyDome, Clan 4- Blaze 2.
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