Coventry Blaze U19s showed tenacity, spirit and a quick turn of foot to record a convincing 7-2 victory over Peterborough Phantoms in a challenge game on Saturday.

Earlier, the U10s put on their best performance of the season despite going down 12-4 to the league-leading Kingston River Rats.

Our neighbours Peterborough brought a development team of U19s and U16s to the Skydome, and though short-benched, contributed to this entertaining challenge. Coventry took an early lead when Man of the Match Aidan Boland slotted home a pass from Joe Law. A second assist went to Gemma Taylor. It was the highlight of a period during which both teams seemed to struggle to connect with their passes and to move the puck into scoring positions. Dwayne Springer, Tom Maidment, Nathaneal ‘BT’ Williams and goalie Daniel Burgess looked strong for the Blaze. Alicia Harrison showed commitment by bouncing back from two big hits in a row.

The tempo picked up in the second with Phantoms drawing first blood on a powerplay goal to level at 1-1. With both teams working hard, notable performances came from Luke Ruddell, Joe Law and blue-liners Gemma Taylor and Kirsty Noble. Coventry were rewarded when plucky Sarah Cattermole scored through the smallest of gaps between goalie and post, assisted by Joe law and Aidan Boland. However, Peterborough came storming back to make it 2-2 before BT turned on the afterburners for an excellent goal to give the home side a 3-2 lead going into the final period.

With only one goal in it, Peterborough came out fast but their attack fizzled out before it really got started. Both sides picked up penalties as the game turned a bit messy but then Coventry got it together as Tom Maidment stepped out of penalty box and into a breakaway to score. Unfortunately shortly after, Tom was ejected from the game for head-butting – although the crowd plainly saw what the referee didn’t, that he was the victim, not the perpetrator of the head-butt. The visitors’ short bench began to tell as Coventry went into overdrive. Good combinations between Joe Law and BT resulted in BT’s second goal. Joe found the twine for Coventry’s sixth while Ben Hooper put the icing on the cake shortly before the final buzzer.

Coventry outshot Peterborough 41-33.

Coach Bill Kelly said it was pleasing to see the inexperienced players “playing well and contributing throughout the game. The teamwork demonstrated by all lines is very encouraging." Well done to the whole team for a strong effort from the start of the game all the way to the end, and especially Dale Albutt for a shut out for his half of the game.”

Earlier, the youngest Blaze team gave a good account of themselves, matching the top team in their league for half the game. David Clements had two goals and one assist to lead Blaze scoring. Jake Caulfield added the other two goals, while Oliver Hewitt had one assist.

The River Rats came out fast and strong but were held in the first shift by some stout defending and perhaps the save of the season when goalie Adam Goss plucked the puck out of the air from a great slap shot.

Despite committed defending, the Rats' second line opened the scoring on 3.09. Great attacking play from the third and first lines helped the Blaze keep it that way until Spirit of the Game winner Jake Caulfield put away his first.

Kingston went ahead again only for David Clements to pull the Blaze level, going end to end in perhaps his best unassisted goal all season. The Rats’ powerful second line added one more but David Clements evened things up with a powerplay goal assisted by Oliver Hewitt.

A jubilant Blaze squad took to the ice for the second period brimming with confidence, but found it increasingly difficult to contain Kingston who peppered the Coventry goal with shots and taking an unassailable lead.

With the game slipping out of their grasp, the Blaze didn’t give up and earned a fourth goal, Jake’s second of the game. Despite what the stats say, second goalie Sam Kovac improved during the second period and gradually came to terms with the power, pace and accuracy of the Rats' shooting.

Reporter: Dan