A late rally from the Fife Flyers stunned the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze, who were beaten 5-3 at Fife Ice Arena on Saturday night in the Elite League.
The Flyers came out strongly and Coventry netminder Dershahn Stewart – handed the start with Mat Robson rested – was quickly called into action.
Fife opened the scoring at 5.33 when Giordano Finoro’s pass found the net via the skate of Ian Scheid – the goal given following a review for a potential kicking motion.
The Blaze responded well to falling behind and began to generate sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Their efforts were rewarded at 7.03 when Jack Hopkins levelled the score, finishing smartly in tight to make it 1-1.
Coventry continued to push the pace but suffered a setback at 7.52 when William Boysen was assessed a two-minute penalty for slashing. The Blaze penalty kill stood firm to see out the remainder of the period without further damage.
As has become a bad habit for Coventry in recent weeks, they conceded early in the second period, with Johan Porsberger scoring unassisted on a partial breakaway to restore Fife’s lead at 2-1.
The physicality increased as the game reached the midway point, with Blaze forward Jere Vertanen and Flyers defenceman Jonas Emmerdahl both called for roughing at 27.52. Fife thought they had extended their lead at 32.22, but the goal was disallowed following review as the puck entered the net under the side netting.
The Flyers were then forced to kill a late penalty in the second period, which they managed successfully to protect their narrow advantage heading into the third.
Coventry started the final period on the front foot and were rewarded with an early equaliser, Colton Saucerman firing home from the blue line at 43.46 to make it 2-2.
The Flyers had a chance to regain the lead on the powerplay shortly after, but it was the Blaze who struck next. Adam Robbins put Coventry ahead at 54.27, finishing from Ivan Chukarov and Connor Russell.
However, the momentum swung dramatically moments later. Coventry were penalised again and the Flyers made them pay, Giordano Finoro converting on the powerplay at 56.14 with assists from Porsberger and Anton Karlsson. Just 23 seconds later, Fife completed the turnaround as Brit Logan Neilson flew up the ice and fired home for 4-3 unassisted at 56.47.
Stewart was pulled for the extra skater in the final minute, but it was the Flyers who sealed the result when Scheid scored his second of the night into the empty net with 33 seconds remaining, completing a stunning 5-3 victory.
Photo credit: Jillian McFarland
