Shootout win continues Blaze charge

Photo: Panthers Images

Coventry Blaze continued their excellent run of form with a shootout win over rivals Nottingham Panthers at the Motorpoint Arena.

“It was a good battle from the boys from start to finish,” began Blaze’s Adam Robbins, who scored the only goal in the shootout. “We were down a few bodies but it was a great character win on the road.”

After a scoreless opening period which saw both teams have powerplay chances, the sides traded goals in the middle frame. Grayson Constable put the Blaze ahead 3:35 into the period, while Brendan Harris levelled on a delayed penalty some seven minutes later.

A chippy middle period ended with the teams all square, and neither side was able to find a breakthrough in the third.

“We had a lot of compete, but just need to find a way to bury the puck right now,” said Panthers forward Brendan Harris. “It was huge for our team to get a point out of it. We’re all committed to this one goal of winning the league and we all still believe in it.”

Overtime also could not settle the game. In the shootout, Adam Robbins scored in the fifth round for the only goal to give the Blaze the extra point.

“Everyone had a hand in this win, and that was always the way it was going to be,” added Robbins. “Guys were stepping up all over the place - blocking shots, playing extra minutes, chipping in on special teams - and it’s a massive help when Robson shuts the door like he did tonight.”