Blaze double up on Panthers

Photo: Panthers Images

Coventry Blaze re-entered the league's top five with their second win over Nottingham Panthers in as many nights.

Having come back from 3-1 on home ice to win in a shootout, there was less drama about their win in front of 6,636 fans at the Motorpoint Arena.

Alexander Lunsjo opened the scoring with 5:40 played, poking home a Westin Michaud shot that landed at his feet after tic-tac-toe play from the Panthers. Blake Thompson levelled not two minutes later with a shot past a screen Rok Stojanovič. Coventry then took the lead with 10:24 on the clock thanks to an inch-perfect Kim Tallberg shot as the visitors broke 2-on-1.

The middle frame ended scoreless but was most notable for Panthers' Myles McGurty being ejected on a Kneeing major penalty with 2:39 left in the period. 

The Panthers killed off the remainder of that penalty in the third and saw the crowd lifted in response. However, the Blaze were 3-1 ahead through former Panther Jack Hopkins who took advantage of the puck bouncing to him in front of the net and shooting straight past Stojanovič to give his side the two-goal cushion. Ian McNulty made it 4-1 with 6:52 left to play.

Jonathan Paredes then threw caution to wind and pulled Stojanovič with 2:46 to play in an effort to generate something for the hosts. The gamble paid off when an excellent goal from Mathieu Lemay at 58:20, but they ultimately ended the game two short.