COVENTRY Blaze kept their Challenge Cup semi-final hopes alive with a 5-3 away win against Cardiff Devils.
A brace from captain Kim Tallberg and further goals from Nick Seitz, Brandon Alderson and Chase Gresock sealed a crucial victory for the visitors at Vindico Arena.
And the win puts Coventry ahead of Cardiff in the Group A standings with Blaze just one point behind Manchester Storm who sit third and currently occupy the final potential qualifying spot.
The Devils took the lead at 14.01 when Ryan Barrow redirected Jarrod Gourley’s shot past Mat Robson on the home side’s second powerplay opportunity of the night.
However, Tallberg equalised for Blaze at 15.57 with a close range finish after good work from Jackson Cressey and Archie Hazeldine.
And the game turned at 16.33 after the official ejected Devils defenceman Andrew MacWilliam for a check to the head of Zach Heintz.
Blaze took advantage of the ensuing five-minute powerplay as Seitz found the net at 17.50 after Alderson’s shot rebounded off Devils netminder Mac Carruth.
And Alderson stretched Blaze’s lead at 25.48, scoring on an odd man rush from Hazeldine’s second assist of the night.
The Devils reduced the deficit through Kohen Olischefski at 37.54 before Robson made a couple of stunning saves early in the third period.
Gresock restored Coventry’s two-goal lead at 49.26 only for Zach O’Brien to keep Cardiff in the contest at 54.56 when he redirected Josh Batch’s shot into the net.
The Devils had a golden chance to draw level when Alderson received a penalty for tripping and Cardiff pulled Carruth for an extra skater.
However, Tallberg capitalised on the empty net at 58.16 to score his second of the night and seal the win for Blaze.
Coventry are next in action against Dundee Stars on Saturday, November 2 with the face-off at 7pm at Dundee Ice Arena.
Blaze then host Glasgow Clan on Sunday, November 3 with the face-off at 5.30pm at the Skydome.
