Reiter denies Blaze at Skydome

Paul Thompson's side are the Elite League's defending champions

Coventry Blaze remain two points clear at the top of the Elite League despite two matching weekend defeats.

Blaze lost 4-1 at Sheffield on Saturday then again by the same scoreline at home to Basingstoke the next day.

But head coach Paul Thompson felt that Sunday's defeat at the Skydome was down to an inspired display from Basingstoke Bison net-minder Kevin Reiter.

"He stole them the game," Thompson told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire. "He made 10 or 12 world class saves."

Thompson admits that Reiter's performance did nothing for his players' mental fragility in front of goal.

"There's a confidence issue in front of goal," he admitted. "Our mental state isn't good enough right now. We've got guys making terrible errors."

Blaze now head off to Italy on Thursday to compete in the Continental Cup in Bolzano.

They will be up against the champions from Italy, Hungary and Slovenia.

BBC Sport icehockey