COVENTRY Blaze played out a 1-1 draw with Belfast Giants in the first leg of their Challenge Cup quarter-final tie on home ice.
Blaze took the lead through Kim Tallberg’s strike in the first period only for Matthew McLeod to level for Belfast at the start of the third period at the Skydome Arena.
The second leg takes place on Wednesday, December 20 with the face-off at 7pm at the SSE Arena Belfast.
Blaze took the lead at 10.55 as Tallberg took advantage of a Belfast turnover to beat Giants netminder Tyler Beskorowany.
And the home side killed a late cross checking penalty to defenceman Carter Allen to end the first period with a narrow advantage.
In a goalless second period, Blaze were unable to make the most of a powerplay opportunity while netminder Taran Kozun made a number of saves to keep Coventry in front.
However, Belfast drew level at 42.45 as McLeod burst into the home side’s zone to equalise after pouncing on a loose puck following another missed powerplay chance for Blaze.
A cagey affair ended all square with everything still to play for in the second leg in Belfast.
