JEREME Tendler converted the winning penalty shot as Blaze overcame Edinburgh Capitals 3-2 in a shoot-out at the Skydome in the Elite League to claim four points from six following a busy weekend of action.
Tendler was the only player to be successful at the ninth attempt as Blaze ensured a four-point haul from their Scottish triple-header.
Canadian Rory Rawlyk netted the overtime winner as Blaze beat Fife Flyers 2-1 in Kirkcaldy on Friday in what was their 400th victory in all EIHL competitions.
Marc Le Febvre’s side could not follow that up on Saturday after going down to a 4-2 defeat at Braehead Clan.
But Blaze bounced back immediately the following evening by defeating Edinburgh Capitals and now sit third in the table on 14 points, one point behind leaders Braehead Clan.
“We found a way to win,” said Le Febvre. “You have to give credit to their goalie, who stood on his head, but we have to start finding the back of the net.
“We have had 90 shots over the last two games and only scored four goals. We need to be hungrier and more determined around the net.
“The level of goaltending has improved so much this year, you really have to work hard for your goals. It is going to be a dogfight every night and you have to grind it out.
“We made hard work of it and there are still lots of things to improve but we accomplished our goal of getting four points out of six this weekend.”
LeFebvre even found time to praise his side after the 4-2 defeat at Braehead Clan on Saturday.
He added: “You are always disappointed when you lose but I was proud of the guys because they never quit when it was 3-0 and 4-1.
“We didn’t execute at the end of the day. We had a couple of chances in the first and if we take them then it is a different game.”
This weekend Blaze face a double header against Cardiff Devils starting with a trip to Wales on Saturday before returning to the Skydome the following evening.
Rory Rawlyk celebrates his game winning slap shot at Fife Flyers. (s) Photo by Scott Wiggins
