COVENTRY Blaze beat Nottingham Panthers in a thrilling Elite League clash following an overtime win against Sheffield Steelers in the Challenge Cup.
Blaze secured a 4-3 win against Nottingham at the Skydome Arena after edging out Sheffield by the same scoreline in overtime at the Utilita Arena.
The results mean Coventry sit third in their Challenge Cup group and fourth in the Elite League standings.
A blistering first period performance earned Blaze victory against former head coach Danny Stewart who moved to the Panthers in April.
Coventry broke the deadlock at 2.23 with a stunning spin-o-rama goal from Nick Seitz.
Nottingham responded at 5.11 with a short-handed strike from Matt Alfaro.
Blaze reclaimed the lead at 12.30 as David Clements shot through a crowd of bodies eluded Panthers goaltender Ryan Bednard.
And the home side stretched their lead at 16.56 when Mike Regush scored a stunning solo goal.
A powerplay goal from Sam Herr at 22.44 kept the Panthers in the contest following a brief video review despite Mat Robson having his net dislodged.
However, Blaze restored their two-goal cushion at 32.53 as Brandon Alderson unleashed a trademark one-timer past Ryan Bednard in the Panthers net.
Nottingham pulled Bednard for an extra skater late on and Ollie Betteridge reduced the deficit at 58.11 as Blaze held on to claim the points.
That came after Blaze kept their Challenge Cup qualification hopes alive with an overtime win against the Steelers.
Sheffield took an early lead at 10.33 as Sacha Guimond scored on a five-on-three powerplay.
However, Blaze responded with a powerplay goal of their own at 13.55 as Alessio Luciani tipped home Chase Gresock’s shot.
The Steelers reclaimed the lead with another powerplay goal at 18.07 when Mikko Juusola turned home Mitchell Balmas’ initial effort which came back off the post.
Coventry drew level for a second time with the fourth powerplay goal of the game at 34.48 as Zach Heintz finished Jackson Cressey’s rebounded shot.
The home side took the lead for a third time at 54.13 as Marc-Olivier Vallerand found the net.
However, Blaze levelled for a third time at 55.21 when Alderson delivered a clutch goal to send the game to overtime.
Steelers threw caution to the wind in overtime, with goalie Marco De Filippo pulled for an extra skater.
And Blaze took full advantage when Kim Tallberg finished into an empty net at 63.18 to seal a dramatic victory.
