COVENTRY Blaze scored two late goals to stun Belfast Giants in a 6-4 thriller before seeing their Challenge Cup game against Cardiff Devils postponed due to Storm Ashley.
Late strikes from Nick Seitz and Alessio Luciani, the latter’s second of the night, maintained Blaze’s perfect start to the Elite League season at SSE Arena Belfast with Chase Gresock, Zach Heintz and Brandon Alderson also on target.
And the result means Coventry sit second in the Elite League table having won all four of their games this season.
The Giants made a blistering start as Pierre-Olivier Morin capitalised on a rebound to open the scoring at 1.38 before former Blaze forward Ben Lake doubled the home side’s lead at 8.20 with another rebound goal.
Blaze head coach Kevin Moore challenged the decision with the goal awarded following an extended video review.
The visitors halved the deficit at 16.25 when Gresock finished past a grounded Tom McCollum in the Belfast net.
However, Belfast restored their two-goal lead at 22.12 as Scott Conway took advantage of a turnover to extend the home side’s lead.
Blaze responded well to the setback when Seitz fed Luciani who produced a precise finish at 30.48.
And Coventry drew level at 36.21 on the powerplay as Heintz grabbed his third goal in as many games before Belfast lost Lake to the box for a tripping offence.
Blaze struck again on the powerplay to complete the turnaround at 47.42 when Alderson hammered home a one-timer from Mike Regush and Kim Tallberg.
The Giants levelled the game late on at 56.04 with an extended five-on-three advantage as Blaze killed the first penalty before Conway scored his second of the night moments later.
However, Coventry pressed for a winner and struck at 58.36 when Seitz scored from close range after he batted Luciani’s initial shot and rebound out of the air.
Blaze netminder Mat Robson then made a stunning save to deny Morin an equaliser with 15 seconds left on the clock.
And the visitors sealed the points at 59.56 when Luciani finished into an empty net in the dying seconds.
Blaze head coach, Kevin Moore, said: “We are a pretty resilient bunch and I’m glad the guys stuck to the game plan as that allowed us to hang around and gave us a chance. I’m super pleased as that was a great team win.”
However, Coventry saw their Challenge Cup fixture against Cardiff the following evening at the Skydome Arena postponed.
Blaze were due to fly back from Belfast at 10am on the day of the game only for their flight to be cancelled due to Storm Ashley.
The club explored all alternative travel options but were unable to find a way home in time to complete the fixture.
Tickets for the fixture will remain valid for the rescheduled date which the club will confirm in due course.
Supporters unable to attend on the new date can either transfer their tickets to another game or request a refund.
Coventry are next in action against Manchester Storm on Saturday, October 26 with the face-off 7pm at Planet Ice Altrincham.
Blaze then host Belfast on Sunday, October 27 with the face-off at 5.30pm at the Skydome.
