Jet Blast 10-01-08

The Blaze currently sit in place in the league, points behind the leaders Nottingham. The teams met twice back in October. Here in Hull we managed only two late goals in a convincing 8-2 win for 20-man Coventry, and were outshot 65-31.

A similar high sniper rate (shots 51-31) from Coventry at the Skydome a couple of weeks later saw us concede two goals in the first 24 seconds. Players from both teams stopped to turn away for the icing call, and when amazingly the call didn’t come, Coventry reacted first to score after just 17 seconds. With our players seriously annoyed, the restart saw Ledgard bag another. He finished the game on 2+2, and despite good work by our two lines, Blaze won 6-3.

This season Coventry have lost 5 home games, drawing 2, and winning 2…giving 6 points. Their away form has been better with 2 losses, 1 draw and five wins…giving 11 points. They host Sheffield tomorrow night.

We come into tonights’ game with three games in hand on Coventry and Billingham, and straight off the back of two tough games.

Last Saturday we lost 0-3 at home to Whitley Bay Warriors. After conceding in the 13th minute, we kept busy and produced some excellent chances…but failed to score. Matching Warriors in shots on goal, we couldn’t find a way past Murdy. He was amazing! We were very much on top of the Warriors for long periods, and did well to stay out of trouble (only one minor penalty for us in the whole game!) but at 53:05 Nathan Taylor converted, followed by a third Warriors goal from Dale Howey.

The lads were disappointed not to have taken something, and this added a determination to our play the following evening in a ‘nothing’ Cup game in Blackburn. With new coaches Millie & Abel in place, Hawks have had quite a shake-up recently and look to be capable of climbing out of trouble. The game was played in front of an excitable 500 crowd, and with full passion from both teams.

Hawks took the lead after 12:31, despite us outshooting them. Andy had given the call to shoot on sight, and the lads responded well. With goals from Flo & Hacko, we led 2-1 at the end of the second. Clearly some chunky discussions had taken place in the Hawks dressing room and they started the final period in great style…three goals in less than three minutes for 4-2.

Jets wobbled, and Andy called a time-out to re-focus. With Hawks Millie in the box for tripping, Jets scored through Adam Elliott who showed much character by making an impressive & welcome return to the side. 4-3.

Less than a minute later, Kinder picked up a 2+10 penalty for a cheap hit on Holmsey, and rushed out of the way of trouble to the penalty box. Dunny approached him, and as he did so, Hawks’ Downey left the home bench and dropped the gloves. Dunny obliged, and as he reached to take off his helmet, Downey took the opportunity to rugby tackle him to the ground. Dunny flipped him over and completed a tidy job on him. This lifted Jets, as they watched a wobbly looking Downey head for the dressing room. Dunny got a 2+2.

Ben Lowe scored on the resulting power-play, before (just a minute later) Meikle grabbed a late powerplay equaliser for the Hawks.

Dunny ended the game with a strange shaped ‘popped’ shoulder, and Craig had a nasty cut to his finger. Both should be fine for today.

James Maughan returns this weekend, and for a few weeks now we have stayed out of the penalty box, allowing us to roll the lines.

Both Andy and I firmly believe we can push for the play-offs, and with the talent at his disposal, we have every chance!

This is a big game, make no mistake. Coventry had a terrible run where they took just one point from six games. They seem to have stopped the rot, and have taken 5 points from their last three games.
It should be a great game.

So, thank you for being with us this evening.
Enjoy this evenings’ game, and please join us afterwards in The Whittington & Cat.
Mine’s a lager…no sugar!

Cheers!
Slim-Clint.
Ps. We are in Nottingham tomorrow. Join us for a 7.30pm start. It will be a barn-burner!