COVENTRY Blaze moved to the top of Group B in the Challenge Cup with a 5-3 victory over the Guildford Flames at the Skydome Arena.
Czech Radek Veselý gave Coventry the lead at 8.47 scoring on his own rebound which was the only goal of a period which the home side dominated.
Peyton Frantti made it 2-0 early in the second period (21.21) before Marly Quince scored at 34.55 to make it 3-0 which was his fourth consecutive Challenge Cup game with a goal.
Blaze defenceman Garrett Johnston put Coventry further ahead at 51.47 before Guildford mounted a comeback.
Owen Griffiths broke Paavo Holsa’s shut-out at 53.13 on the powerplay before Johan Eriksson (56.41) and Ian McNulty (57.04) made it a one goal game.
Pushing for an unlikely equaliser, Guildford allowed too much room for Blaze forward Mitch Cook who punished them with a fifth goal past Eamon McAdam at 58.12.
Head Coach Danny Stewart said: “I thought we did a really good job tonight. We were unfortunate not to come out a few more up after the first period.
“Obviously, we came under fire at the end there and showed some nerves. But, a big goal by ‘Cooky’ to get us back to two up and the guys finished the job from there.”
Blaze require two points from their final three Challenge Cup Group B games to ensure qualification for the quarter-finals.
Coventry take on Belfast Giants in an Elite League double header this weekend – away from home on Saturday (7pm) and at Skydome Arena on Sunday (6pm).
