TWO LAST minute goals and an overtime winner ensured Coventry Blaze secured one of the most dramatic victories in the club’s history against Manchester, despite the game only being a friendly.
Danny Stewart’s men were 6-4 down with just over a minute left on the clock, however two goals from Matt Marquardt and Robin Bergman stunned the Manchester bench – tieing the game at 6-6 and forcing overtime.
In the three-on-three sudden death overtime, forward Brett Robinson fired home the winning goal with 2.29 left in the five minute ‘extra time’ period.
Though the match was won in dramatic circumstances, there was cause for concern for coach Stewart as the Blaze threw away an early three goal lead – conceding four goals with strikes from the Storm’s Paul Phillips, Cody Cartier and Adam Harding.
Matt Marquardt tied the game at 4-4 shortly into the third period, though Manchester opened up a two goal advantage before the Blaze lit the lamp on three occasions in a matter of minutes.
Head coach Danny Stewart said: “It was a crazy game, that’s what pre-season is all about.
“The first and third period we played great hockey.
“The second period we gave up four goals because we got a little bit selfish with a three goal lead.
“Guys got caught on the wrong side of pucks and we were forcing things.”
Blaze are next in action on Saturday night as they face the Cardiff at their home rink on Saturday night before facing old rivals Nottingham on Sunday (5.15pm) for their first competitive game of the new season at the Skydome.