Sheffield Senators came unstuck against a dogged and determined Coventry Blaze in the NIHL North Laidler Conference on Saturday. The teams were closely matched in what was at times a little scrappy game and were basically cancelling one another out to go into the second period with the score 0-0. The second period continued as the first had gone but Blaze nipped into the lead to make the most of their chance on 23.05 with Dale White scoring.
Senators will have been disappointed not to deal with things as they would have probably liked but there was nothing they could do when Blaze added another shortly after; a well worked powerplay goal timed at 25.45 scored by Arthur Brookes with assists for Philip Mulcahy & Dale White. Senators didn’t give up and were working just as hard as Blaze and deservedly pulled one back through Mike Mawer, assisted Charlie Thompson timed 34.35.
The final period never really got going, it became scrappy at times which was not aided by some over fussy refereeing but it was still an intriguing contest as Blaze defended their lead with zest against a hard working Sens team who were doing their best to pull level. It was still a pretty even game but Coventry were just that little smarter and wiser at times which was the main difference between the teams on the night to see Coventry just shade it to claim a deserved victory.
Final Score: Coventry Blaze 2 Sheffield Senators 1
Report by Phil Holden