A sensational second period and overtime winner from Captain Brady Norrish helped the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze to a 4-5 Elite League victory over Glasgow Clan at Braehead Arena on Saturday.
Following a 46-save victory over the Nottingham Panthers on Sunday, American Nolan Kent got his second consecutive Elite League start with Taran Kozun left off the road trip.
With Blaze under pressure early on, Kent began strong and was only beaten due to a highlight reel solo effort from Matt Barry which made it 1-0 at 9.25.
The second period quickly became wide open, and the two sides shared six goals.
In-form Alessio Luciani tied it for Blaze at 23.19 but their joy was short lived as the Clan hit two through Charlie Combs on the powerplay (27.51) and Gary Haden (33.20) to make it 3-1 and put the away side on the back foot.
The resilient Blaze side didn’t let going behind deter them and J.D. Dudek cut the deficit to one on 34.38. Just over a minute later, Coventry got themselves level when Tyler Kirkup ended a lengthily goal drought with a smart snipe at 35.58 to tie the score 3-3.
Before the second period ticked down, Blaze were able to score a fourth unanswered with Luciani registering his second of the night and ninth of the league season on the powerplay at 38.35.
Coventry did an excellent job of defending their lead in the third period but with Glasgow goalie Jake Kielly pulled for the extra skater, the home team made their advantage count on 58.06 as Combs bagged his second of the game to make it 4-4 and send the game to overtime.
Combs was denied on a big opportunity by Kent in the additional period which allowed Blaze Man of the Match Luciani to come up big for his side again with his play leading to Captain Brady Norrish scoring the game-winner on 63.08.
Photo credit: Al Goold
