Egener warning for Blaze

Mike Egener has warned Genting Casino Coventry Blaze they will be in for a long night if they do not produce a much-improved performance against Nottingham Panthers. 

The Canadian defenceman described their display in the 2-2 tie with Braehead Clan in the Challenge Cup quarter-final first leg at the Skydome on Wednesday as “unacceptable”. 

Blaze now head to the National Ice Centre tomorrow night to take on Rapid Solicitors Elite League leaders Panthers, who have won the last four meetings, including posting two shut-outs. 

Egener said: “We have beaten every team this season and you have to perform every night. Against Braehead it was unacceptable. 

“Against Belfast we put in a great effort. We kept things simple and we played a gritty character game which is exactly what our club is. 

“But you cannot go from that to tying with Braehead who had a short bench. If we play like that against Nottingham they will tear us apart. 

“We have to be on our game or we could be in trouble. But there is no doubt we can beat them. We have done it before and we can do it again.” 

Blaze take on Nottingham Panthers at the Skydome in the Rapid Solicitors Elite League Erhardt Conference on Saturday February 2 (7pm face-off). Tickets can be purchased by ringing the Box Office on 02476 630693 (option 0).