Saturday Blaze versus Stingrays, 7pm !
On Saturday, Coventry Blaze welcome one of the hottest teams of the moment into the Skydome for another high action, high adrenaline hockey match!
It's the Blaze versus the Hull Stingrays, and this time it's personal. The Stingrays have been proving themselves against the big boys with wins against Belfast, Sheffield, Nottingham and the Blaze in the last month alone.
Now it's time to put them in their place and we need your help to do this! Your support on Saturday will be crucial as the Blaze face-off amidst a crippling list of injuries and suspensions.
Increasing the challenge, the Stingrays roster has recently been bolstered with the signing of ex NHLer Drew Bannister and with head coach Paul Thompson also suspended for his alleged role in last Saturday's bench clearance the Stingrays will be keen to capitalise on a weakened Blaze side.
With this huge fixture the main focus on Saturday don't forget that we'll also have two of our star players signing autographs in Brad Cruikshank and Matt Soderstrom with our hero nettie, Brett Jaeger, giving up the number 35 shirt in the Exmedia game-worn shirt raffle.
As always there'll be an opportunity to get involved in the intervals with the ever popular 4thofjuly.co.uk chuck-a-puck and our 50/50 raffle both for just £1 each.
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With the disappointing news that head coach Paul Thompson must serve a two match ban the Blaze can confirm that cover has been arranged to assist Luc Chabot during this weekend's two Elite league games against Hull Stingrays at the Skydome Saturday and versus Sheffield on Sunday.
With a last minute fax to the Elite league office this afternoon the Blaze are hoping registration will be accepted before the weekends fixtures, with the Blaze set to confirm all details on completion of registration.
The Midlands based coach will be hoping to join Thompson and Chabot for the morning ice session (Friday 10th) and then will complete the short term signing once the boys are off the ice.
Thompson commented on the announcement, "When I first heard I was banned I wanted to breathe fire, but we really had no choice. In the end it was a no-brainer, he's perfect in the short term and will support Chabot much the same way Luc supports me.
"He's a quiet individual with a real appetite for the sport; he's always commanded respect in previous positions and I believe whilst the team has a number of missing bodies he'll be able to take the youngsters under his wing."
Blaze chairman Andy Buxton added, "Paul [Thompson] has known him for years, they're very, very close. The appointment will create a natural link between our suspended coach and the roster.
"Timing was perfect, sometimes you find yourself with suspension difficulties during a season and this should prevent us getting burnt."
With an official announcement due pending a successful registration the coaching staff and management are delighted by this appointment.
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On the 19th December the Newcastle Vipers will be joining the Blaze in the Skydome for the Blaze Christmas Cracker!
With the festive time now upon us the Blaze will be having their own yuletide celebrations at the Arena before, during and after the game. A special events team will be coordinating the family oriented, Christmas themed, evening and will be decking Crosby's with a Santa's Grotto and activities for the kids in all of us!
Face-painting and colouring actvities are just some of the plans to entertain your family at this festive time.