Genting Casino Coventry Blaze produced a phenomenal fightback to beat Braehead Clan 5-4 on aggregate after penalty shots and reach the Challenge Cup semi-finals.
Blaze handed a debut to American defenceman Jim Jorgensen but were without Steven Chalmers, Derek Lee, Ryan O’Marra and Russell Cowley. 
Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Blaze fell further behind at 3.11 when Scott Aarssen converted on the powerplay but James Griffin, playing as a forward, levelled at 6.16.
After a scoreless second session, two quickfire goals from captain Ashley Tait (49.26) and Ross Venus (51.22) made it 3-1 to Blaze on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.
Overtime failed to separate the sides and the tie went into a shoot-out where Jereme Tendler and Ben Arnt were successful.
Blaze, twice winners of the competition, now face Cardiff Devils in the last four over two legs for a place in the final at Sheffield Arena on Sunday March 8.
Coach Chuck Weber said: “I could not be more proud of the effort the boys gave. We went down 1-0 but stuck to it and we got a huge goal from Griff, who was going as a forward.
“We were short and behind but to get the goal back so quickly changed the dynamic of the game. We created a lot of good opportunities and we believed more and more.
“Griff sacrificed himself for the team to play as a forward and he, Dale White and Ross Venus gave us a lot of valuable minutes and allowed the guys to be a little more fresh at the end.
“The guys battled, they persevered, they blocked shots and then stepped up in the shoot-out and Stewie [goaltender Brian Stewart] was big too. They showed a lot of character.”
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