Simon Alexander
Posted By Luke Garner Thursday, 2nd September 2010 10:46am
Coventry Blaze Head Coach Paul Thompson knows that if he wants to add another Elite League trophy to his cabinet in this, his 16th year with the organisation, then he will have to get his new recruits to mesh in time for their match-up against arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers on Sunday.
"The sharpness isn't quite there yet, but that's to be expected, it takes time. We had a similar situation last season, whereby we got stronger and stronger as the year progressed and that could be the same this term. The old adage 'Rome wasn't built in a day' probably applies here," mused the Singapore-born gaffer.
"We had a few injuries and you can see how much we missed our captain Jonathan Weaver. Some players played with niggling injuries too and I deliberately worked them hard before the game, so you could see some tired legs out there. Whilst you don't want to over-extend yourself at this stage of the season we need to step it up for the weekend and I have three or four days to get everything fine-tuned now."
The Blaze appeared to be lacklustre against the always feisty Devils, conceding within 16 seconds from Jon Pelle and falling 2-0 behind when Tylor Michel beat Brett Jaeger, before they finally woke up.
Forward Dan Carlson hit back for the home-side immediately before he turned provider, coolly skating around Devils' netminder Stevie Lyle to gift Brad Zanon the equaliser just three minutes after Cardiff had scored their second.
"Carlson had a few solid chances and Luke Fulghum could have scored one too but that sharpness will come. Dan Carlson is one of the top three players in this league, no matter what anyone else says, and we all know Fulghy can score. It's just a case of getting that first goal under their belts I think," sympathised the Great Britain coach.
It was two huge slices of luck that were to decide the tie in Cardiff's favour. Firstly, the Blaze were a little too eager on a powerplay opportunity and were left woefully exposed when the puck squirmed loose and fell to Justin Sawyer who was bursting from the penalty box. With acres of space there was only ever going to be one winner.
Then in the dying minutes the home side thought they had levelled when a fierce shot looked to have beaten Lyle. It appeared to all present that the puck had crossed the line, with the goal judge lighting his lamp, but referee Mike Hicks was unmoved by Blaze protests and ruled out the tally.
One incoming star, 6 foot 6 inch defenceman Jeff Smith, announced himself to the home faithful with a series of thumping hits on the perennially vilified Brad Voth. "Tonight was all about matching people up against one-another and Cardiff are a good side so it was a perfect opportunity to see how we'd fare. Jeff put in some good hits and we'll definately be using him in a similar role if that continues. I felt we lacked a bit of grittiness at times last year and we've tried to address that in time for this campaign," said Thompson. "You could see the offense we created too, it just didn't quite come off tonight. But we have three very good forward lines here so I'm not worried about the result at all. We have a very good team. I've brought in guys that know what it takes to win and they'll step up and be counted when it really matters."
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