Blaze recognition

[rocky]

Here is a copy of the press cutiing from the Daily Telegraph today, praising both the Blaze organisation and Thommo of course.

Interesting to see that the reporter (quite rightly too!)has picked out Wade Belak and Neal Martin as the best "D" partnership in the Elite League.
See my post "Wade & Neal" for discussion thread.

Well done Blaze, well done Thommo and well done to all the team.
It will be great if we can win the Challenge Cup, but if not, it's still a great achievement to reach the final.
If we have to lose to someone, then Cardiff would get my vote. They are an excellent team with superb fans!!

BLAZE AND DEVILS FINAL SHOWS NEW HIERACHY

By Simon Cross (Daily Telegraph 16th Feb)

Coventry Blaze meet the Cardiff Devils in the first leg of the Challenge Cup Final tonight at the Skydome in Coventry.
The absence of traditional powerhouse Sheffield Steelers and the defending champions, Nottingham Panthers, show the power shift in the sport.
Sheffield and Nottingham were semi-final losers and lie outside the Elite League title race being fought out by Coventry, Cardiff and Belfast Giants.
Coventry lead the way, two points ahead of Cardiff with Belfast a further point back.

Coventry head coach Paul Thompson has built on last season’s impressive debut in the top flight with some acute recruitment which included the signing of the Elite League’s best defensive pair, Neal Martin and Toronto Maple Leaf’s Wade Belak.
Forward Andre Payette complement’s Belak’s toughness while Dan Carlson, Great Britain wing Ashley Tait and Adam Calder provide the scoring threat though Calder, Coventry’s top goalscorer, is doubtful for tonight’s match.

The Cardiff threat comes from the top points scorers in the league, Vezio Sacratini and Jon Cullen. Although the club face an uncertain future following the city council’s decision to tear down the Wales National Ice Rink, coach Dave Whistle has restored the Devils to the top of the game.
The return leg in South Wales takes place on Thursday, Feb 24.

[Claret & Blue Army]

I've been saying for a while that the old guard has been displaced given the current criteria and even Nottinghams three NHLers can't seem to snap them back into things.

The third leg of the new guard (Belfast) are quietly going about things in contrast to us and the Devils and makes for a good and fresh three way tussle. Indeed Sundays match at the Skydome against the Giants could well prove to be a make or break game with the seasons end rapidly approaching

[Rich]

Blaze are getting recognition everywhere now. Even Midlands Today was like watching the Coventry Show tonight with all the coverage Blaze got (they still showed an out of date league table though). We were awsome tonight and have been all season. We are the top team in one of the UK's fastest growing sports. Finnally the rest of the regional is taking note.

[hatman dave]

Even better than that, the hat made it onto the news ;D
I knew it had its uses

[Rich]

I think the news bulletin was a bit misleading because it didn't show any of the 5 or so chavs that surround the Sky Dome on Blaze Match Nights.

[Claret & Blue Army]

RichBlaze said:

I think the news bulletin was a bit misleading because it didn't show any of the 5 or so chavs that surround the Sky Dome on Blaze Match Nights.

That's ASBOs for you ;D