Blaze hit Trappers for six to end pre season
CPP Coventry Blaze completed their preparations for the new Elite League season by beating Tilburg Trappers 6-1 in the P&O Cup at the Skydome.
Blaze, who went down 3-2 to Geleen Eaters courtesy of a strike 37 seconds from time on Saturday night, welcomed Luke Fulghum back into the line-up.
The American forward, last season’s leading goalscorer, missed the Eaters reverse as his wife gave birth to a baby boy.
But he produced an eye-catching performance, claiming four assists as well as missing a penalty shot in the second period.
Greg Owen (powerplay) and Matic Kralj fired Blaze 2-0 ahead inside four minutes and Shea Guthrie and Kralj added further markers in the space of 42 seconds to put coach Paul Thompson’s side in control by the end of the first period.
Owen Fussey netted the only goal of the second period, with Fulghum also missing a penalty shot, before Tom Murdy was replaced by Brandon Stones for the start of the final session.
Rob Farmer (powerplay) extended Blaze’s lead before their shut-out was ended when the Dutch team scored with six minutes left.
Thompson said: “It was comfortable for us but I was pleased with our intensity for the 60 minutes. We never lost our energy levels and drive.
“I have really enjoyed pre-season. We have given some of our younger guys a lot more responsibility, to the detriment of results at times. But it is about performances at this stage and I felt it was important to test them to see where they are at.”
Bryan Jurynec missed out again through injury while netminder Peter Hirsch was rested.
Thompson added: “We played Murds and Stoner as we did not want Peter playing five games in nine nights and I thought they did well. Bryan is still not right and we don’t know yet whether he will be all right for Wednesday [against Nottingham Panthers].
“Luke Fulghum has scored around 120 goals in three years. When a player like that is not in the line-up, you do miss him. He is one of the standout forwards in this league.
“We are delighted for him and [wife] Sasha on the birth of their little boy and I was delighted to have him back in the line-up.”