EIHL Pre-Season: Coventry Blaze V Cardiff Devils

After last seasons encounters between the two rival teams, the game was as expected, physical. 

Less than five minutes into the game brought the first of what will likely be many fights this season. Kevin Harvey of the Blaze took on Brad Plumton of the Devils earning both five minute penalties, and both needing repairs from a very good fight.

The Devils seemed to have the game under control early on with a lot of zone time, but the superb goaltending of Mike Zacharias kept the Blaze out of trouble as he impressed on his home debut.

Midway through the period the play evened out with both teams exchanging chances but both Zacharias and Devils goalie Dan LaCosta impressed in there first taste of EIHL action, sending the teams to the first break with the scores level at 0 - 0.

More of the same in the opening of the second period, the Blaze showing why they were and still are a tough team to play against with there physical play, but the Devils matching them with the likes of Plumton and Andrew Conboy returning the hits.

It took just under 35 minutes of play for the deadlock to be broken, after some good net presence from Andrew Lord, he was on hand to jump on a rebound and put the Cardiff Devils a goal up at 34:11.

It didn't take long for the Blaze to respond, not long at all. Off the faceoff, Adam Henrich pressured the Devils defence, forcing a turnover and going in alone to tie the game, beating LaCosta to make it a 1 - 1 just 8 seconds after they were down a goal.

To cap off an interesting two minutes of play, Adam Henrich was through on goal again before he was brought down by Mark Smith resulting in a penalty shot. His shot though never looked troubling for LaCosta as he slowly made his way torwards net and LaCosta easily turned the puck aside.

At the end of the second, a small come-together between Benn Olson and Brad Plumton resulted in 2 minute penalties for the pair for roughing as the teams went into the second intermission tied at two.

After a lot of powerplay opportunities went wasted in the first and second period for both sides, the Blaze finally added a goal with the man advantage as Ross Venus tapped the puck into the net with 47 minutes played, giving Adam Henrich his second point of the night with a primary assist.

Cardiff had powerplay opportunities of their own but were unable to capitalise on some good opportunites, no thanks in part to some good positional play by the Blaze and good play from goalie Zacharias.

The Devils looked like they were applying good pressure to level the score, but the Blaze sent the puck down the ice giving Mike Henrich a breakaway opportunity which he cooly converted on to give the Blaze a 3 - 1 lead which they held onto to give them a nice victory of their rivals.

Two of the games standout players were the men between the pipes, both impressing with some crucial saves to keep the scoring low, and despite giving up three goals, Dan LaCosta was one of the Devils best players on the night.

Also impressing for the Blaze was Adam Henrich who was described on the Coventry Blazes' livestream as the lesser skilled Henrich (or words to that affect) proved why he is a big part of the team alongside older brother Mike.

Blaze Man of the Match - Adam Henrich
Devils Man of the Match - Andrew Lord

Elsewhere in the league, the Hull Stingrays routed the Edinburgh Capitals in their pre-season game with a 9 - 0 scoreline where four players scored twice.

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