COVENTRY Blaze suffered successive overtime defeats against Fife Flyers and Guildford Flames during the Elite League’s Pride Week.
Blaze twice came from behind to claim a point against Fife only to suffer defeat to a powerplay goal in overtime at Fife Ice Arena.
And Blaze were beaten again on home ice against league leaders Guildford as they came from two goals down to take the game to overtime where they once again succumbed to defeat at the Skydome Arena.
The results mean Blaze remain fifth in the Elite League standings.
In the game against Fife, both teams spurned a chance on the powerplay before Bari McKenzine struck for Flyers at 22.19.
However, Blaze levelled almost immediately when Kim Tallberg netted his 17th of the season at 24.05 before Fife defenceman Reece Harsch restored Flyers lead at 32.37.
A review for a high stick denied Fife a third goal and Blaze made the most of that reprieve to equalise at 52.00 as the puck went in off of Jack Billings’ skate.
Coventry killed a penalty in the final few minutes to take the game to overtime only for Zack Phillips to score the winner for Fife at 63.24.
And Blaze were beaten by a single goal again the following night at home to Guildford as Coventry hosted a special Pride Night game and wore Pride inspired jerseys.
Flames took the lead after just two minutes through Ian McNulty before Alexander Kuqali quickly levelled for Blaze at 5.15.
Guildford reclaimed the lead in the second period when Mike Crocock struck at 30.08 before Ben O’Connor added a third goal in the final period at 44.56 before later hitting the post.
However, Blaze staged a stirring comeback as Brady Norrish finished on the powerplay at 51.07 and Marly Quince took the game to overtime at 53.52.
And after Coventry failed to convert on the powerplay late on, Flames snatched the win through Peter Crinella’s goal at 64.04.
Blaze head coach Danny Stewart said: “We played a really good hockey game and I feel for the guys as in terms of a performance I think it was our best in a couple of months.
“It’s seven games in a row that we have collected and that’s important. I think the six games before this we have been lucky to scrape out points, but we have been finding ways.”
Blaze are next in action away at Guildford on Saturday, January 28 with the face-off at 6pm at the Guildford Spectrum.
