COVENTRY Blaze conceded three first-period goals in a 4-1 defeat against in-form Belfast Giants.
A first-period blitz put the Giants in command before Chase Gresock reduced the deficit only for Belfast to seal the points in the third period at the SSE Arena.
The result means Blaze sit third in the Elite League standings, seven points behind leaders Cardiff Devils with two games in-hand.
Blaze were without defencemen Mike Kennedy and Jakob Stridsberg and bolstered their blue line by bringing in Billy Thorpe and Zach Vinnell.
Belfast broke the deadlock at 7.56 when Jordan Kawaguchi beat Mat Robson at his near post with a precise finish on the powerplay.
And the Giants doubled their advantage at 12.45 with another powerplay goal as JJ Piccinich selflessly passed across the crease to Mark Cooper who finished into an empty net.
The home side struck again at 16.50 when Mike Lee’s shot slipped through Robson’s glove and over the line.
Coventry responded in the middle period at 21.30 as Gresock saw his initial shot saved by Tom McCollum before pouncing on the rebound following a two-on-one break.
However, Belfast made sure of the points at 58.15 when Bobo Carpenter finished into an empty net after Blaze pulled Robson for an extra attacker.
Coventry are next in action against Manchester Storm on Saturday, December 21 with the face-off at 7pm at the Skydome Arena.
Blaze then travel to Guildford Flames on Sunday, December 22 with the face-off at 6pm at Guildford Spectrum.
