NEW Blaze boss Steven Goertzen had a point to show from his first two games in charge following an Elite League double header over the weekend.
Goertzen’s first game in charge ended in defeat as Blaze lost 8-3 at home to Cardiff Devils on Saturday.
Goals from Jake Morissette and Joey Haddad sandwiched a powerplay marker from Blaze forward Jereme Tendler in the first period.
Chris Culligan extended Devils’ lead 55 seconds into the middle session before Ryan O’Marra pulled a goal back for Blaze.
But Devils struck three times inside 114 seconds through Andrew Hotham, Josh Bath and Joey Martin and Connor Ranby was beaten by Doug Clarkson to make it 7-2.
Steve Chalmers got a third for Blaze before Brent Walton rounded off the scoring.
Goertzen said: “I was happy with the effort of the guys, they came to play. It is frustrating because I thought they deserved better than the scoreline suggested.
“When we made it 3-2, Cescon had a good scrap too, the fans were in it and the guys were energised but they scored a couple of quick ones which took it away from us.
“Brian Stewart was hurting too from the start of the game but Ranby did a good job for us and the guys battled hard for him.
“We are going through a tough patch right now but sometimes that is when a team can gel together and play for each other.”
Blaze managed to bounce back away at league leaders Sheffield Steelers the following evening by picking up a point following a 3-2 overtime defeat.
Mike Forney and Cullen Eddy twice put Steelers ahead but interim player-coach Goertzen twice levelled against his former club before Mathieu Roy won it for Steelers in overtime.
Goertzen added: “We played really well and any time you get a point in that building you would take that but I really feel we deserved the two points.
“Going into the third period we felt we could go on and win the game. It did not go our way but it is a step in the right direction.”
