Blaze go four unbeaten

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Coventry Blaze got their fourth win in a row thanks to an OT victory over Belfast Giants, despite conceding a tying goal inside the final 35 seconds of the game.

There was no goals in the opening period at the Skydome, but the second 20 minutes was nothing short of eventful. 61 seconds into the period. Quinn Preston slotted pass Taran Kozun off an excellent stretch pass from Daniel Tedesco - Giants goalie Tyler Beskorowany picked up a secondary assist on the goal. Kobe Roth levelled the game at 24:03 before the Giants began to run into penalty trouble, including another bench minor on Adam Keefe. Brady Norrish then crashed a shot past Beskorowany at 29:50 to give the Blaze the lead. 

The events continued to come in the middle period, however, with Ben Lake ejected for a spear during a break in play.

Period three was dominated by more minor penalties, but neither side was able to take advantage - the Blaze letting two early powerplays slide as they couldn't extend their lead, while the Giants couldn't use a paiur of advantages to draw level. Inside the closing stages, Bobby MacIntyre was called for Tripping with 67 seconds to go, almost 90 seconds after Keefe had caleld his timeout and pulled Beskorowany. The visitors again took the goalie out and went 5-on-5, and their efforts were rewarded when Kohei Sato was able to scramble the puck over the line after Kozun had saved Preston's initial shot - tied game at 59:28. James Shearer almost won ti for the Blaze with a shot in the final seconds, but overtime was to decide things.

Norrish had an excellent chance to win it early in the bonus period, but it fell to Alessio Luciani who calmly slotted home his breakaway despite being hooked and a penalty shot doubtless to be called if he didn't score.

It was Coventry's first win over Belfast at home in two years.