COVENTRY Blaze saw their five-game winning run in the Elite League come to an end following a 5-2 defeat against Belfast Giants.
Blaze rallied in the second period before Belfast eventually sealed victory at the Skydome Arena.
That came after Coventry beat Manchester Storm 6-2 at Planet Ice Altrincham as Blaze recovered from a two-goal deficit at the end of the first period.
The results mean Blaze sit second in the Elite League standings.
On home ice against Belfast, both teams paid tribute to Adam Johnson who tragically died a year ago during an Elite League Challenge Cup game prior to the face-off.
And the Giants broke the deadlock at 11.10 when Scott Conway slotted a loose puck into the net after Elijiah Barriga wreaked havoc in front of the Blaze goal.
Blaze failed to capitalise on two powerplay opportunities before Belfast scored from a powerplay of their own at 18.21 as JJ Piccinich finished Conway’s pass.
Piccinich doubled his tally for the game on the powerplay again at 28.08 before Chase Gresock responded for Blaze at 29.07 when he tipped a shot into the net.
And Morten Jurgens struck at 39.03 to further reduce the deficit at the end of the second period.
However, Piccinich completed his hat-trick at 41.08 before Bo Hanson’s blue-line shot at 55.14 ended Blaze’s five-game winning run.
That came after Coventry produced a stunning turnaround to beat Manchester the previous night.
Storm took the lead at 8.03 when Jake Durflinger made up for an early infraction with the game’s opening goal from close range.
And the home side doubled their lead 31 seconds later as Joe Morrow’s shot from the blue line found the net via the aid of a deflection off Grant Hebert’s stick.
Manchester had the puck in the net for a third time in the opening period only for the goal to be overturned following a challenge by Blaze head coach Kevin Moore for goaltender interference.
Coventry netminder Mat Robson then kept out Alexis D’Aoust’s penalty shot after an Alexander Kuqali hook prior to the goal.
Blaze halved the deficit on the 28-minute mark as Brandon Alderson scored on the powerplay.
And the visitors drew level at 35.41 when Estonian international Jurgens opened his Blaze account with a precise finish from Jack Hopkins’ pass.
Coventry completed the turnaround at 38.23 after Jackson Cressey showed great determination to find the net after good work from Alessio Luciani and Gresock.
And Blaze extended their lead at 44.28 as Grayson Constable fired the puck past Storm netminder Evan Weninger.
The visitors all but sealed the points at 46.36 when Zach Heintz capitalised on a loose puck and expertly found the net from close range.
And Blaze rounded off a sensational third period at 49.59 as Nick Seitz dodged an attempted big mid-ice hit before scoring a three-on-one rush while short-handed.
Coventry are next in action against Dundee Stars on Saturday, November 2 with the face-off at 7pm at Dundee Ice Arena.
Blaze then host Glasgow Clan on Sunday, November 3 with the face-off at 5.30pm at the Skydome.
