The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze ended 2025 in sensational fashion with a stunning 4-5 come-from-behind victory over Elite League title challengers the Nottingham Panthers at the Motorpoint Arena.
The Blaze conceded three goals in quick succession during the second period but showed remarkable character, responding with four goals of their own to complete a dramatic comeback in front of a sold-out crowd.
Coventry went into the fixture boosted by the return of defenceman Ivan Chukarov and forwards Grant Mismash and William Boysen. However, they remained without blue-liners Colton Saucerman and Jere Vertanen.
The Blaze started strongly and enjoyed the better of the early action. Alessio Luciani went close to opening the scoring eight minutes into the contest, striking the crossbar behind Panthers goaltender Kevin Carr. Coventry continued to apply pressure and, during a four-minute powerplay late in the period, hit the iron for a second time through Mismash.
After the Panthers successfully killed the penalty, the Blaze thought they had taken the lead moments later. With 42.7 seconds remaining in the opening period, Grayson Constable drove hard to the net and fed Luciani, who back-handed the puck past Carr. Nottingham challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but after review the decision stood.
The Panthers nearly responded before the buzzer, but Mat Robson produced a stunning stop to deny Cooper Zech, ensuring Coventry took a 0-1 lead into the first intermission.
A turnover early in the second period proved costly for the Blaze. Matt Spencer stole possession and skated in before beating Robson expertly at 26.34 to level the score at 1-1. Shortly after, Nottingham failed to capitalise on a 2-on-1 opportunity, before Coventry created a big chance of their own. Mismash did well in the Panthers’ zone to find captain Kim Tallberg, whose shot was deflected over the net by Carr.
It was then Nottingham’s turn to hit the iron, as David Noel’s effort on a 3-on-2 rattled the post behind Robson.
As the period progressed, the Panthers moved up a gear and three goals in 27 seconds turned the game on its head. The first came at 36.05 when Zsombor Garat blasted home from the blue line, assisted by Matthew Marcinew. Just 11 seconds later, fellow defenceman Noel fired another long-range effort past Robson at 36.16, with Jarod Hilderman and Chase Pearson picking up the assists.
The third goal in the rapid sequence arrived at 36.32, as Marcinew made it 4-1 to the home side, with Pearson collecting his second assist of the night.
Coventry responded immediately. Just 26 seconds later, Blaze top scorer Matthew Gleason pulled one back at 36.58, finishing from close range with Boysen providing the assist. Buoyed by their response, the Blaze pressed late in the period and created two good chances, but were unable to reduce the deficit further as the second period ended 4-2.
The Blaze struck iron for a third time early in the third period, Barriga being denied as his effort rang off the post with 15 minutes remaining. Coventry’s persistence was eventually rewarded when Mismash fired home the first powerplay goal of the night at 51.45, assisted by Gleason, bringing the visitors back within one.
The equaliser followed just 47 seconds later. Boysen unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net at 52.32, with David Clements providing the assist to make it 4-4.
Mike Pelech, who played a pivotal role on the tying goal by providing a screen in front of Carr, then turned match-winner in dramatic fashion. With just 29 seconds remaining, the experienced centre re-directed Gleason’s shot into the net, stunning the home crowd and completing an extraordinary comeback.
Gleason capped off an outstanding performance with three points on the night to earn man-of-the-match honours. The Panthers pulled Carr for the extra skater in the closing seconds, but time ran out as the Blaze closed out a famous victory to end the year in sensational style.
Photo credit: Panthers Images
