Back to Winning Ways

I saw Coventry Blaze beat Belfast Giants 4-2 at the Coventry Arena tonight to be presented after the game with the Elite Hockey League title. Over the last three years the title has been won either by the Blaze or the Giants. Winning the championship was a great consolation for Sky Blue refugees from the Dowie regime at the Ricoh and it also ended a poor sporting weekend on a positive note.

Ironically it was the first ever [ice] hockey game I have seen live. In a way it was like being transported to North America with the Canadian flag prominently displayed and adverts from Canadian airlines. The rhythmic and coordinated charts were reminiscent of baseball.

It was a great advantage for the pitch announcer to glide about on the ice and spotlight individual blocks for an applause competition. It also greatly aided the mobility of the referee and the linos and it was an odd sight to see them gliding around. I also liked their striped uniforms, similar to those won by prisoners in old movies. Before face off we were reminded that we were still in the UK when we asked to stand for God Save the Queen. I think the last time I did that was at Buck House.

Giants had the edge in the first period with 16 shots on goal to 9 for Blaze and it was no surprise when they went 1-0 ahead. The second period was fast and furious with Blaze scoring three goals to one for the Giants. Their passing looked increasingly fluent and thet were helped when Giants had two players off in the sin bin. I would prefer this system in football and it was also helpful to be told what the offence was: holding; high sticks; slashing; or, most oddly, displacing the goal. Giants keeper Lyle hit the post with his stick in frustration when Blaze went ahead and he was at fault for the third when he was caught out of his goal.

After going 4-2 ahead in the third period, Blaze started to play more defensively, but the excitement mounted as the seconds ticked down with chants of 'Championes'. We were able to see the medals being presented to the players, but it was rather odd joining a sell out crowd for their decisive match after a long season. Will I be back? Yes. It won't displace football, but it's an exciting game to watch.