COVENTRY Blaze suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat against league leaders Guildford Flames despite two goals from Johnny Curran.
Curran netted in the first and third period’s with JD Dudek on target in the second period in a losing cause at the Guildford Spectrum.
The result means Blaze remain fifth in the Elite League table, having suffered back-to-back 4-3 defeats to the leaders.
Flames took the lead through offensive defenceman Ben O’Connor at 6.29 on the powerplay as Flames scored twice on the man advantage on the night with Blaze unable to strike.
Fellow Brit Robert Lachowicz doubled the Flames’ lead at 7.25 but Blaze responded when Curran made Coventry’s pressure count at 18.54 to make it 2-1.
And JD Dudek scored a deserved equaliser for Blaze at 33.12 but Ian McNulty’s powerplay marker at 37.42 gave the Flames a 3-2 advantage after 40 minutes.
However, Curran’s second of the night and 17th goal of the regular season tied the game via a penalty shot only for Guildford to score the winner at 51.38 through Sam Marklund.
Blaze goalie Paavo Holsa was pulled for the extra skater in the final minute but Eamon McAdam at the other end wasn’t to be beaten again as the Flames hung on for the two points.
Coventry are next in action against Cardiff Devils on Saturday, February 4 with the face-off at 7pm at the Skydome Arena.
