CHASE Gresock scored a hat-trick as Coventry Blaze claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory against Guildford Flames in overtime.
Gresock drew Blaze level in the first period before briefly putting the home side ahead in the second period at the Skydome Arena.
And the forward completed his treble in overtime as Coventry secured a third straight home victory.
That came after Blaze conceded twice in the final five minutes to suffer a 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Panthers at Motorpoint Arena.
The results mean Coventry sit fifth in the Elite League standings.
On home ice against Guildford, the Flames made a blistering start to break the deadlock after just 22 seconds as Matt Alvaro put the visitors ahead.
However, Blaze drew level at 19.18 as Alexander Kuqali and David Clements teed up Gresock to score his first of the night.
And Gresock completed the turnaround at 32.45 when Gresock struck on the powerplay from Terrance Amorosa’s assist.
However, Guildford equalised at 35.37 as Brett Welychka drew the visitors level.
The third period remained goalless as both teams squandered powerplay opportunities to send the game to overtime.
And Gresock proved the hero for Blaze with his hat-trick goal at 64.49 from Brandon Alderson’s drop pass.
That came after Coventry suffered a late defeat on the road in Nottingham against Danny Stewart’s Panthers.
Blaze made the perfect start when Nick Seitz struck at 10.10 to celebrate his birthday with the game’s opening goal.
The visitors outshot the home side in the first period but were unable to add to their lead and failed to convert a powerplay opportunity in a goalless second period.
However, the Panthers equalised at 55.38 when Otto Nieminen found the net after good work from Didrik Henbrant to keep the puck alive.
And Nottingham completed a sensational turnaround at 57.46 as defenceman Cooper Zech scored his first Panthers goal to leave Blaze stunned.
Blaze pulled netminder Mat Robson for an extra skater but were unable to find an equaliser.
Coventry are next in action against Belfast Giants on Saturday, January 25 with the face-off at 7pm at the SSE Arena.
Blaze then host Dundee Stars on Sunday, January 26 with the face-off at 5.30pm at the Skydome.
