The Basingstoke Bison put up a good fight on Saturday night, but ended up going down 4-1 to the reigning Elite League champions.

Basingstoke Bison 1 Coventry Blaze 4

Last season's champions Coventry got this season's campaign of to a winning start in Hampshire, with their special plays serving them well as they netted two powerplay and one short-handed.

It took the visitors until 15.06 to get off the mark, with Rumun Ndur in the bin for the second time, Danny Stewart netted with a short-hand effort.

Barrie Moore on the powerplay put the Blaze two in front at 34.20. Despite out shooting their opponents 11-4 in the middle stanza the visitors were unable to add any more goals.

The hosts pulled one back early in the third period with a goal from their own Danny Stewart at 42.24. Just over two minutes later the reigning champions opened up a two-goal cushion for the second time as Adam Calder netted on the powerplay. With Stevie Lyle pulled Barrie Moore with his second of the game found the empty net to complete the scoring.

Period Scores: 0-1, 0-1, 1-2
Penalty Mins: 10-6
Shots On: Stevie Lyle 31 - Trevor Koenig 22

Other results:

Belfast Giants 2-1 Edinburgh Capitals
Hull Stingrays 2-3 Newcastle Vipers (After Penaties)
Nottingham Panthers 2-0 Manchester Phoenix
Sheffield Steelers 5-1 Cardiff Devils