By Kris Smith
The Stars were 5-3 victors at the SkyDome Arena last night as they claimed the first set of points from a double-header against the Blaze.
In what was their first clash of the season, the Stars got off to a flying start as they went 2-0 in front in the opening three minutes.
Firstly, Spencer Naas found Ryan Valentini with a cross-goal pass and he slotted past Taran Kozun in the Blaze net to open the scoring, before 31 seconds later, Drydn Dow’s long-range effort flew past the Canadian keeper.
Although, the home team would respond three minutes later as Alessio Luciani redirected Blake Thompson’s high shot past Kevin Carr to make it 2-1 and in the second period, Kobe Roth’s batted-in goal would tie the score on 28 minutes as Coventry capitalised on the powerplay.
However, the Stars would get ahead again in the 37th minute as Josh Brittain blasted home their third of the evening but it took less than two minutes for Kim Tallberg to equalise for the Blaze, as he burst through the Dundee defence and picked his spot.
Marc LeFebvre’s men then turned up the heat in the third period and would eventually regain the lead on 54 minutes, when Johnny Walker found space to walk in on the Blaze goal and stick the puck past Kozun and the victory would be wrapped up by Naas as he skated the puck into an empty net after Coventry went all out for an equaliser.
The only player not icing for the Stars last night was Canadian forward, Jake Elmer as he missed out through an upper-body injury and they will go with the same line-up this evening, as new signing, Brent Beaudoin makes his home debut.
Missing from the Coventry team last night was Nathan Ripley and third goaltender, Nolan Kent and they also remain unchanged from yesterday.
Speaking after last night’s victory in Coventry, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “I thought it was kind of a greasy road game almost.
“We obviously had a great start to it but then we got back on our heels and they kept coming after us wave after wave, even though it was 3-3 in the second period, I thought they had us on our heels most of that second period and we weathered the storm a little bit going into the third.
“I thought we took control a bit in the last seven or eight minutes and that is when we got that key fourth goal that we needed to keep going and get the victory.”
Face-off for tonight’s home game is at 5pm and you can buy your tickets HERE!
All images: Derek Black.
