The Coventry Blaze continued their impressive upturn in form by completing a four-point weekend with a thrilling 4-3 victory over title-chasing Belfast Giants at Skydome Arena on Sunday night.
Coventry made one change to the line-up that secured victory in Glasgow, with Connor Russell stepping in on the blue line for Ivan Chukarov. Belfast were forced into a late change in goal, as Alexis Gravel was handed the start ahead of Jackson Whistle, while Mat Robson continued his strong run between the pipes for the Blaze.
The Giants created the first clear opening of the night, breaking away on a 2-on-0 just over two minutes in, but Robson came up big with an excellent glove save to deny the visitors.
The Blaze struck first at 9.23, Artie Buzoverya pouncing on a rebound and firing home, with assists from Mike Pelech and Jack Hopkins.
Belfast responded at 15.47 following a face-off in the Coventry zone. The puck fell to Reid Irwin, who found captain David Goodwin in space, and he took his time before picking his spot to level the game at 1-1.
The Giants edged ahead early in the second period, just 1.35 in, as a slick passing move allowed Goodwin to unleash a shot from the blue line, with Gabe Bast providing an effective screen in front of Robson.
Coventry reacted positively to falling behind, applying sustained pressure of their own, with William Boysen striking the post in what proved to be their closest chance. However, Belfast extended their lead at 28.38 when a cross-ice pass between defencemen was intercepted by JJ Piccinich, who raced clear and finished confidently on the breakaway to make it 1-3.
Once again, the Blaze showed resilience and quickly cut the deficit on the powerplay. In-form Fin Jere Vertanen continued his hot streak at 30.16, converting after a feed from former Giant Grant Mismash, with Matthew Gleason also picking up an assist.
Belfast pressed hard late in the period, enjoying extended zone time and hitting the post, but no further goals followed. A Giants penalty with just five seconds remaining in the second period left the contest finely balanced heading into the third.
Coventry seized that opportunity almost immediately. Just 58 seconds into the final frame, Vertanen unleashed a powerful slapshot on the powerplay to score his second of the night and ninth of the season, his seventh with the man advantage, to level the game at 3-3. Sam Ruffin and Adam Robbins provided the assists.
The Blaze powerplay continued to punish the Giants and proved decisive at 52.34. With former Coventry forward Ben Lake in the penalty box, Alessio Luciani struck for his fifth goal in six games, converting amidst traffic in front of the net. Grayson Constable earned the assist after causing chaos in the crease.
Coventry’s disciplined defensive effort saw them close out the remainder of the contest, securing a memorable 4-3 victory as the Skydome crowd celebrated a perfect weekend to kick off the new year.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
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