COVENTRY Blaze began the season with two thrilling encounters against Manchester Storm in the Challenge Cup.
Blaze suffered a 6-4 defeat in their season-opener at Planet Ice Altrincham as Storm scored two late goals to triumph.
However, Coventry responded to win 5-4 in the return fixture at the Skydome Arena as Alessio Luciani scored an overtime winner.
Kevin Moore’s side made the worst possible start to the season as Blaze conceded three goals inside the first 10 minutes at Planet Ice Altrincham.
A powerplay goal from Brandon Cutler at 5.23 broke the deadlock before Brady Gilmour struck at 7.51 and Tyler Hinam netted at 8.39 to leave Coventry with a mountain to climb.
Moore called a timeout to settle his side and the delay paid off as Luciani reduced the deficit shorthanded at 10.58 to score Blaze’s first goal of the new season.
However, Manchester restored their three-goal lead in the second period at 27.37 as Joseph Nardi scored on the powerplay.
Penalties swung the momentum back in Coventry’s favour as William Boysen capitalised on a five-on-three situation to strike at 30.24.
And defenceman Colton Saucerman then hammered home on the powerplay at 33.49 to close the gap to a single goal.
Coventry eventually drew level in the third period at 47.40 as Elijiah Barriga finished Matthew Gleason’s drop pass.
However, Storm reclaimed the lead at 55.32 when Loren Ulett slipped the puck through the pads of Blaze netminder Mat Robson.
And the home side sealed the win at 58.31 as Gary Haden finished into an empty net after Blaze pulled Robson for an extra skater.
Coventry responded to the setback by picking up their first win of the season in the return fixture at the Skydome.
Blaze opened the scoring at 3.57 as Gleason scored his first professional goal from Barriga’s assist.
Manchester equalised at 12.31 when former Blaze forward JD Dudek converted Ulett’s feed at the far post.
And Storm completed the turnaround in the second period at 35.31 as Kaleb Ergang finished Cutler’s wrap-around pass.
Blaze drew level just 29 seconds into the third period when Gleason pounced to finish a rebound from Archie Hazeldine’s initial shot.
And Coventry reclaimed the lead at 43.14 as Saucerman blasted home only for Storm to equalise at 45.26 through Ulett on the powerplay.
Moore’s side went back in front on 51 minutes when Luciani scored his second short-handed goal in as many matches.
However, Manchester took the game to overtime as Brady Gilmour finished from close range at 55.34.
Blaze secured an extra point in overtime as Luciani scored his second of the game at 63.18 from Gleason’s assist.
Coventry continue their Challenge Cup campaign against Guildford Flames on Saturday, September 20 with the face-off at 6pm at the Guildford Spectrum.
Blaze then host Cardiff Devils at the Skydome on Sunday, September 21 with the face-off at 5.30pm.
