COVENTRY Blaze saw their four-game winning run in the Elite League come to an end following back-to-back defeats against Sheffield Steelers and Belfast Giants respectively.
Blaze lost 5-2 against the Steelers at the Utilita Arena before then suffering a 6-1 home defeat at the hands of the Giants at the Skydome Arena.
The results mean Coventry drop to fifth in the Elite League standings, just two points behind Guildford Flames who sit second.
On home ice against Belfast, the Giants broke the deadlock at 22.34 as Bobo Carpenter produced a clinical one-timer following a scoreless first period.
And Belfast struck again just 46 seconds later when Great Britain international Ciaran Long converted Bo Hanson’s precise set-up.
The Giants took command of the game at 33.45 as Karl Boudrais’s shot from the blue line evaded Blaze netminder Mat Robson.
Coventry responded at 37.01 when Jack Hopkins capitalised on a fortuitous bounce to reduce the deficit.
Blaze failed to convert a powerplay chance early in the third period before Mark Cooper pounced on a loose puck at 48.02 to all but seal the points for Belfast.
And Gabe Bast fired past Robson just 54 seconds later before Scott Conway completed the scoring for the Giants at 58.08 following a fortunate bounce off the backboards.
That came after Coventry suffered defeat against the Steelers in a back-and-forth contest.
Steelers took the lead at 8.49 when Mitchell Balmas scored on the powerplay with a first time shot past Robson.
And Balmas doubled the home’s side advantage at 14.40 with a stunning solo goal, stickhandling around the Coventry goalie.
Sheffield extended their lead at 21.13 when Daniel Ciampini converted on the powerplay.
However, Blaze reduced the deficit at 23.39 as Alessio Luciani capitalised on a powerplay opportunity.
And Mike Regush struck against for the visitors just 43 seconds later with a back-post finish after good work from Brandon Alderson and Chase Gresock.
The home side restored their two-goal cushion within seconds at 24.31 as Brandon Whistle broke through the Blaze defence and found the net.
A stellar performance from Sheffield netminder Matthew Greenfield prevented Blaze from mounting a comeback as Joona Huttula completed the scoring for the home side at 57.22 in the third period.
Coventry are next in action against Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup on Wednesday, December 11 with the face-off at 7.30pm at the Skydome.
