COVENTRY Blaze booked their place in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup despite losing on penalties to Nottingham Panthers in their final group game.
Blaze lost 3-2 at Motorpoint Arena following a shootout as Coventry claimed the point they needed to secure automatic qualification to the semi-finals.
Coventry and Sheffield Steelers secured automatic qualification to the last four with the Panthers to play an eliminator against the runners-up of Group B.
Blaze made the perfect start when defenceman Connor Russell opened his account for the club at 2.09 as he fired the puck past Panthers netminder Kevin Carr.
The visitors failed to capitalise on a five-on-three opportunity soon after before the Panthers then squandered a chance on the powerplay.
Coventry spurned two good chances early in the second period as Carr denied both Grayson Constable and Sam Ruffin.
However, Nottingham equalised at 24.26 on the powerplay as Tim Doherty redirected David Noel’s shot into the net.
Blaze reclaimed the lead at 36.59 when captain Kim Tallberg turned home a looping puck on the powerplay.
A diving save from Carr kept out Mack Stewart’s wraparound effort early in the third period as Blaze looked to extend their lead.
The Panthers needed to win the game in regulation time to overtake Blaze in the standings.
However, Nottingham could only force overtime with 41 seconds remaining as Ollie Betteridge levelled the game after the Panthers pulled Carr for an extra skater.
The game eventually went to penalties as Matthew Marcinew and Mitch Fossier scored for the Panthers to seal a shootout win for the Panthers.
Coventry are next in action against Fife Flyers on Saturday, October 25 with the face-off at 7pm at Fife Ice Arena.
Blaze then host Cardiff Devils on Sunday, October 26 with the face-off at 5.30pm at the Skydome.
