Blaze into top four with home win

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Coventry Blaze made it a four-point home weekend thanks to a 3-1 win over Nottingham Panthers.

An even split of 24 shots in the opening period couldn't break the deadlock, but two Blaze goals inside three minutes saw them take control of the game in the second.

Aiden Spellacy fired past Rok Stojanovič after excellent work by Mitch Cook to force a turnover as the Panthers attempted to break out of their zone at 35:41. With Myles McGurty later sitting a High-Sticking minor, Danny Kristo made use of the extra space afforded to him to pick his spot past Stojanovič and double the lead at 38:25. Nolan Kent made the best save of the period to stop the Panthers pulling one back before the intermission.

Jake Ryczek ensured the closing stages would be nail-bitting with the Panthers' first of the evening at 52:52, but they were to be undone by an Ian McNulty empty netter from his own faceoff circle with Stojanovič pulled at 58:36. Some late minors on the Blaze gave the Panthers a late 6-on-4 opportunity, but to no avail.