COVENTRY Blaze made the most of home advantage to take a 3-2 lead in the first leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final against Belfast Giants.
Goals from Jack Hopkins, Kim Tallberg and Grayson Constable earned Blaze a first-leg victory at the Skydome Arena.
The second leg takes place on Wednesday, February 18 with the face-off at 7pm at SSE Arena Belfast.
Coventry made the perfect start when Hopkins found the net at 1.54 as he squeezed a shot past Alexis Gravel from a tight angle.
Belfast equalised at 8.41 as Ben Lake produced a clinical finish against the run of play.
However, the home side reclaimed the lead at 13.28 when Tallberg finished on the rebound after Alessio Luciani’s fierce shot came off the backboards.
The Giants drew level for a second time at 29.46 as Scott Conway reacted quickest to turn a rebound past Mat Robson in the second period.
However, Coventry took the lead for a third time against the run of play at 36.57 when Constable controlled David Clements’ pass and faked Gravel before finding the net.
A heroic goalline block from Colton Saucerman kept Blaze’s lead intact while Robson made 42 saves to earn Coventry a second-leg advantage.
Coventry are next in action against Dundee Stars on Saturday, February 14 with the face-off at 7pm at the Skydome.
Blaze then travel to Sheffield Steelers on Sunday, February 15 with the face-off at 4pm at the Utilita Arena.
