Back-to-back defeats for Blaze against Braehead Clan - The Rugby Observer

Back-to-back defeats for Blaze against Braehead Clan

Rugby Editorial 11th Nov, 2014 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

BLAZE coach Marc LeFebvre says his side must start finding ways to close out games after a blank weekend which saw them suffer back-to-back defeats to Braehead Clan.

Blaze were tied at 2-2 heading into the final ten minutes against Braehead Clan on Saturday night with Rory Rawlyk scoring a brace but the visitors went down 4-2 in Glasgow.

And the following evening at the Skydome they held a 3-2 lead early in the third period thanks to goals from Ben Arnt, Ryan O’Marra and Kyle Bochek but fell to a 4-3 defeat against the same opposition.

It leaves Blaze sitting fifth in the Elite League table ahead of this weekend’s double header against Hull Stingrays.




LeFebvre said: “We battled hard all weekend but we let four points slip away. Both games were in our grasp.

“It was disappointing we couldn’t close the games out, especially at home, and that’s three times we have given up leads at home.


“We need to bear down and start finishing the games off which we were doing at the beginning of the year.

“Apart from Cardiff and Belfast, we have been right in the games and it comes down to the little things; getting pucks out, blocking shots, finishing chances. We just need to start finding ways to win.

“We have to find some consistency – something all teams are struggling to do – and go on a run. We also need to start beating the big boys at some point.”

LeFebvre also believes the arrival of Czech forward Jakub Sindel will enhance Blaze’s offensive threat.

The 28-year-old native of Jihlava, a second-round draft pick (54th overall) by Chicago Blackhawks in 2004, arrived in the UK on Monday and practiced with his new team mates for the first time on Wednesday.

He is expected to make his debut against Hull Stingrays at the Skydome in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

LeFebvre said: “Jakub is going to give us some options. He can play centre and on both wings and is going to help our powerplay.

“Our powerplay was a problem but we have now scored six in our last three games so it is funny how these things work out.

“But he is going to give us more creativity and hopefully he can help get some guys going.”

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