Coventry Blaze continue fine form on the road

COVENTRY Blaze registered their third win from four on the road with an outstanding victory against Newcastle Vipers to move up to third in the table.

Blaze looked to have the game wrapped up by the end of the first third having opened up a 4-0 advantage and despite a spirited comeback from the Vipers, the visitors ran out 6-3 winners.

Former Vipers captain Jonathan Weaver opened the scoring for Blaze after four minutes before Greg Owen doubled the lead just seconds later.

Luke Fulghum increased the advantage further on ten minutes before Owen looked to put the game to bed with his second.

But a David Longstaff penalty and Matus Petricko double narrowed the deficit to just one goal after the second period.

However, Matt Soderstrom fired home with 46 minutes on the clock to consolidate Coventry's lead and Fulgham passed his second into an empty net to secure the win.

Meanwhile, a Sean McAslan double inspired table-toppers Nottingham Panthers to a 5-2 victory over reigning champions Sheffield Steelers.

McAslan opened the scoring will less than three minutes on the clock before Joey Talbot and Brad Cruikshank gave the Steelers the lead after the first third.

After a goalless second period, McAslan grabbed his second to level the scores.

And Cameron Mann gave Nottingham the lead before Dominic D'Amour and Marc Levers completed the comeback.

Elsewhere, Cardiff Devils registered a registered a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Hull Stingrays.

Matt Towe, Mark Smith, Ben Davis and Wes Jarvis netted for the Devils, with Slava Koulikov the lone Stingrays scorer.