COVENTRY Blaze ended a three-game weekend empty-handed following a string of narrow defeats.
Blaze lost 4-3 against Manchester Storm at Planet Ice Altrincham after the home side staged a dramatic third period comeback.
Coventry then lost 5-4 against Glasgow Clan at Braehead Arena despite a valiant third period fightback from Blaze.
And Coventry ended the weekend with a 4-2 defeat against the Storm on home ice at the Skydome Arena.
The results mean Blaze sit fifth in the Elite League table with their place in the end-of-season play-offs now secured.
Away in Manchester, Storm took the lead after just 47 seconds courtesy of Stephen Johnson’s spinning backhand effort through the legs of Mat Robson.
However, Blaze equalised at 5.40 as Alessio Luciani finished Brandon Alderson’s cross-ice pass.
And Luciani completed the turnaround on the powerplay at 20.59 as Luciani redirected David Clements’ powerful shot into the net.
Coventry extended their lead at 26.54 when Luciani completed his hat-trick following a two-on-one breakaway.
However, Manchester halved the deficit at 41.37 as Jake Durflinger scored on the powerplay.
And more penalty trouble for Blaze allowed the home side to draw level at 53.02 as Johnson scored his second goal of the game with Chase Gresock in the box.
Manchester reclaimed the lead just 35 seconds later when Craig Martin fired home after the referee penalised Brady Poteau for slashing.
And Blaze suffered another narrow defeat in Scotland against Glasgow the following night.
Clan opened the scoring at 14.40 as Deven Sideroff tipped Chris McKay’s initial effort into the net.
And Glasgow doubled their lead at 18.55 when Mitchell Heard scored on the powerplay.
The home side scored another powerplay goal through Liam Finlay at 24.53 before Sideroff struck again at 29.47 to leave Blaze with a mountain to climb.
Coventry responded on the 35-minute mark as Gresock saw his effort deflect into the net.
However, Glasgow restored their four-goal at 43.26 when Robert Lachowicz scored the home side’s fifth goal.
Blaze reduced the deficit at 49.23 courtesy of Archie Hazeldine’s strike before Luciani cut the gap further at 51.46 as Alderson set up both goals.
And Jackson Cressey netted at 57.16 to move Blaze within one goal of parity.
Blaze pulled netminder Robson for the extra skater on two occasions in the final moments but failed to convert a six-on-four powerplay opportunity at the death.
Coventry ended the weekend with another defeat against Manchester despite twice taking the lead in the first period.
Blaze broke the deadlock at 10.03 as Gresock fired home on the powerplay.
However, Manchester drew level with a powerplay goal of their own at 17.56 courtesy of Ryan Hughes.
Coventry reclaimed the lead at 19.46 as Luciani continued his stellar weekend in front of goal by tipping Kim Tallberg’s shot past Evan Weninger.
Manchester equalised at 23.25 with another powerplay goal as Cameron Critchlow redirected a shot past Robson.
And Storm completed the turnaround at 34.27 when Tyler Hinam converted a rebound from Joe Morrow’s initial effort.
Manchester sealed the points at 55.11 as Gianluca Estevez finished Durflinger’s feed.
Coventry are next in action against Dundee Stars on Saturday, March 22 with the face-off at 7pm at Dundee Ice Arena.
Blaze then host Fife Flyers on Sunday, March 23 with the face-off at 5.30pm at the Skydome.
