Luciani double gets Blaze past Flyers

Photo: Flyers Images

Coventry Blaze had to come from behind to beat basement side Fife Flyers in a tight game on Sunday night in Kirkcaldy.

Alessio Luciani put the Blaze ahead within 51 seconds as hit looked like it might be another long night for the Flyers. However, Lucas Chiodo's fine effort saw him tie the game at 14:34, before Daniel Krenželok made himself space to put the hosts 2-1 ahead 2:13 before the end of the opening period.

“I thought we started slowly, a little expected after playing yesterday and with the travel up, but I think we responded well and capitalised on our opportunities,” said Alessio Luciani, who would go on to score two for the Blaze. “Credit to our penalty kill that did a really good job tonight, too.”

Two goals in just over three minutes swung things back in the Blaze's favour. Luciani's second of the night tied the game at 26:06, before former Flyer Brady Poteau beat Janis Voris five-hole to put the Blaze ahead at 29:09. 

The visitors side survived a Jackson Cressy minor early in period three before Morten Jurgens was called for tripping with 1:58 left to play. The Flyers called a timeout and pulled Voris some 28 seconds later, but couldn't work Mat Robson into any serious work. The clock eventually ran out on the Flyers, on the night they retired Mark Morrison's jersey.

"It comes down to a team effort. If you look back at our last few games we’ve played well as a team and I think that helps out a lot," added Luciani. "We feel good, we like where we’re at and it’s about keeping that momentum into the playoffs."