Blaze survive scare to beat Stars

Photos: Scott Wiggins

Coventry Blaze nearly blew a four-goal lead but were able to hold off a resurgent Dundee Stars team and eventually run out comfortable winners.

It was a disastrous opening period for the Stars in Coventry conceding four goals. three goals, the first of which was scored by Luke Ferrara at 7:50. Jonny Curran made it two at 9:32, and 86 seconds later Justin Haché had put the Blaze into a 3-0 lead after which Omar Pacha called a timeout. 

Ross Venus looked to have put the game to bed with the home side's fourth early in period two but the Stars hadn't given up quite yet. Elgin Pearce pounced on a rebound form Matt Marquardt's shot to make it 1-4 at 28:56 and send the visitors into the final period with some hope. 

Dundee's hope grew when Drydn Dow scored 39 seconds into the third and after Kevin Dufour struck at 45:37 it was back to a one-goal game. Coventry however responded almost immediately as Ross Venus converted off a clever offensive zone faceoff play with 46:15 played, while Dillon Lawrence put the result beyond doubt at 51:36. 

That win capped a four-point weekend for the Blaze who are only a win behind the top five. Dundee have slipped to seven points adrift of the playoffs.

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