Blaze looking for home boost; Blaze keep one eye on 20-20 tournament.

Byline: Antony Hopker

COVENTRY Blaze head into the weekend looking for a home win to galvanise them and their fans.

Blaze have had good form on the road that has seen them climb to a decent position in the league table, but their home games - which have all been in the Challenge Cup - have been less successful.

Assistant coach Luc Chabot said tomorrow's clash with Newcastle Vipers would give Blaze, sponsored by Coventry Plumbing and Heating, the chance of a much-needed boost.

But he warned that the match was no foregone conclusion, despite the 6-3 win on Tyneside last weekend.

"They are a good team and very much changed from last year, when they were something of a goon squad.

"They've turned around in the opposite direction.

"They've had two shut outs, they are second in the league and they have beaten Nottingham.

"We are looking for a big game at home after the defeat against Cardiff and they will be looking for revenge for last week's game.

"I'm expecting it to be a tough match but if we play the way we are capable of playing, then we should be able to win." Chabot said training had been going well this week, but the looming 20-20 Hoktoberfest tournament had made preparations difficult. "Our main focus has been the Newcastle game because we need the home win, but then we have been preparing for a completely different style of game. We're looking forward to the tournament, but it is not something we are used to and it will be a challenge for us." Blaze play hotly-tipped Nottingham in the fourth quarter final at 2pmat the one-day tournament at Sheffield Arena. All games are two periods of four-on-four hockey with a running clock.