Blaze score three in four minutes to turn defeat into OT victory

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Coventry Blaze scored three goals in just over four minutes to overturn a 3 to 1 deficit and claim a dramatic 4 to 3 overtime victory against Manchester Storm on Sunday night.

“I thought our first period was alright, both teams played well,” said Blaze forward Elijah Barriga. “The second period had stretches where each team was on top, but there wasn’t much flow. In the third, I thought we played desperate to win it. We really wanted it, kept pushing, and got it over the line.”

The opening period was evenly contested, with both goaltenders tested early. Loren Ulett rang a shot off the post for the visitors, while Evan Weninger and Mat Robson traded strong saves as chances went at both ends. Despite rising intensity and several close calls, neither side could break the deadlock.

Coventry struck first early in the second period when William Boysen converted a rebound from a Jordan Power shot to open the scoring. The middle frame was disrupted by a number of penalties, but neither team could capitalise on the power play until late in the period.

Manchester got level through Brandon Cutler, although the goal was initially waved off before being awarded following video review. With 2:37 remaining in the period, Cutler’s wide shot rebounded off the boards and Kaleb Ergang was first to react, lifting the puck past Robson to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage.

2:37 into the third, Kyle Locke extended the Storm's advantage to two.

“I don’t think we were at our best. We struggled throughout despite moments where we were good,” admitted Ergang. “At the end of the day, you can’t blow a lead like that, especially that late in the game. That stings.”

With 3:57 left in regulation, the Blaze called a timeout and pulled Robson in search of a spark.

“It was a big decision from our coach to pull Robson that early,” added Barriga. “We were hemming them in their zone and needed two goals.”

The gamble paid off almost immediately as Barriga pulled one back just 41 seconds later. Robson left the net again at 56:44 and the Blaze levelled the game through Barriga once more, finishing a rebound from a Jere Virtanen shot.

Storm were penalised late in regulation, but Coventry completed the comeback 56 seconds into overtime when Mismash beat Weninger to seal a remarkable home win that had looked unlikely just minutes earlier.

“Little details cost us,” concluded Ergang. “We had enough to win the game but didn’t lock it down.”