Blaze become best team in action packed weekend...

Ok before we start this report. You are probably wondering where are weekend review is. Due to problems preparing them and taking nearly a week to prepare, we decided if we do individual reports so you get your team news fast! Rather than having to wait for the others to be prepared so you can see it. Now you will get individual reports, so they come as soon as they are done. Some however, will come at the end of the week, sorry about that. But its better than waiting for all of them. Also, rather than reviewing it in one paragraph or two for each team, I'll have an introduction for their weekend followed by match reports from all their games! Good format? Have a look below. So, here you go! Enjoy!!

This weekend, by far was the best weekend of the EIHL season so far, so many twists and turns and for the first time, no team had a bad weekend, every team got at least one win for the first time so it is by far the most entertaining weekend of action so far this campaign. Every team got one win and one loss expect Coventry Blaze who became the only team with 4 points!

A battle of rivalry results in tight win vs Devils...

Arch rivals blaze and devils had a big showdown at the Skydome in Coventry in front of a large crowd which was an intense game from start to finish. It was a scoreless first period with both teams pushing hard but it took until 7:37 into the second for Michael Henrich to score and put Blaze in the lead for 1-0 which would be taken into the second break setting up a vital final 20 minutes. With Devils battling hard now for that big leveling goal and eventually got it to put this game level 1-1 via Tomas Kurka. Blaze didn't let that get them down and kept the game on their side with Michael Devin regaining the lead at 54:12. 

Not long after, Blaze extended the lead for 3-1 as Cale Tanaka fired home. The clock ticked and it looked like Blaze had done it. However, Devils pulled goalie Dan Lacosta and the extra man paid off with Andrew Lord scoring to set up a hectic and tense last minute. Devils pressed and threw everything they had at Blaze but when Blaze got possession, Michael Henrich fired home into the empty net to send relief into the Blaze crowd. It was a final score of Blaze 4-2 Devils after a great game including a hectic last period. 

Stats: 

Shots on goal: Blaze (On Dan Lacosta) 40; Devils (On Mike Zacharias) 37

Attendance: 2,161  

Man of the match: Blaze: Mike Zacharias; Devils; Dan Lacosta

Powerplay: Devils: 0/3; Blaze: 1/8

Referee: Mike Hicks Linesmen: James Kavanagh and Danny Beresford

more stats here: http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=1713

Highlights here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDrkLmRnakY&feature=c4-overview&list=UUmwcMWn7iQVvzx1DWD3hPhg

In form Stingrays side test blaze, but not enough...

Hull Stingrays, who have on form defense, on form and attack and definitely an on form goalie in Ben Bowns, hosted Blaze, with both sides on the back of wins and battling for a four point weekend. Stingrays tested blaze well and paid off but Blaze took a 1-0 lead into break one with returnee Shea Guthrie target at 3:28. 

Into period two, and blaze were sizzling, top scorer Ryan Ginand scoring just 43 seconds in! Hull were pressing but couldn't get past Blaze Goalie Mike Zacharias. Coventry made it three then four with Kevin Harvey and Ross Venus on target have Coventry thrashing Hull 4-0 with a period to go! Despite this, Rays got two goals to put a possible comeback on but this was't enough as Blaze scored an empty netter to seal the win via Ginand again! Final score: Stingrays 2-5 Blaze

Stats: 

Shots on goal: Stingrays( On Zacharias) 34; Blaze (On Ben Bowns) 25 

Man of the match: Hull: Guy Doucet; Blaze: Shea Guthrie

Referee: James Ashton Linesmen: Phil Sewell and Paul Staniforth 

More stats here: http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=1720

Highlights here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqb-8k2Ulig

Hope you like the new format! 

Posted by Rhys Williams