Ice Hockey
Thompson praise for Blaze star Owen

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PAUL Thompson was full of praise for Greg Owen after his two goals helped Blaze return to winning ways in the Elite Leagur following back-to-back defeats against Belfast Giants.

Thompson's side lost out 5-3 in Belfast on Friday (January 13) and they ran out losers again the following evening, this time losing 4-3 in the Odyssey Arena.

But the Great Britain international, who sits fourth in the team’s point-scoring charts with 12 goals and 20 assists, scored twice in the 5-2 victory over Hull Stingrays on Sunday evening (January 15).

"Greg Owen is a solid pro, he knows his job and he comes up with big goals for us every year," said Thompson.

"He is an experienced Brit who can score goals. He is a level-headed person and plays a level-headed game, he is very popular here on and off the ice.

"Greg may not always hit the headlines but he does his job and I am very pleased to have him on my team.

"It was our third game in three nights after we had two battles with Belfast so I was surprised by how comfortable the win was.

"We had two great games with Belfast and we had an horrendous travel schedule. There were a few tired legs out there but the players were mentally engaged for the whole game."

Blaze were playing their third game in as many nights and despite a delayed kick-off due to Thompson's side returning late from Belfast, they needed only six minutes to take the lead through man of the match Owen.

Derek Campbell levelled the score against his former club but Owen Fussey's 25th marker of the season put the home side back in front.

Back came Stingrays again wo equalised for the second time in the match through Martin Ondrej but Blaze found an extra gear

and raced clear of their opponents in the third period.

Shea Guthrie restored the lead with his 22nd this term and Owen got his brace to extend his side’s cushion.

And captain Jonathan Weaver scored the only goal of the final period to wrap up a comprehensive win for Blaze who sat fourth

in the league ahead of this weekends double aheader against Fife Flyers and Braehead Clan.