The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze claimed a point on Friday night but were left frustrated after surrendering a three-goal lead in a dramatic 4-5 overtime defeat to the Dundee Stars at the Skydome Arena.
Blaze started brightly and took the lead at 8.45 when captain Kim Tallberg jumped up into the rush from the blue line and snapped a quick wrist shot past Emil Kruse.
Coventry pressed hard to extend their advantage with back-to-back powerplay opportunities and, although they were unable to convert, their pressure paid off late in the period. With just 30 seconds remaining, William Boysen finished Elijiah Barriga’s pinpoint feed at the back post to make it 2-0 at the first intermission.
The hosts extended their lead early in the second period as the in-form Jere Vertanen continued his impressive scoring run. On the powerplay, Vertanen unleashed a powerful slapshot at 32.49 for his tenth goal of the season – his eighth with the man advantage.
Dundee, however, found a lifeline soon after. Bradley Schoonbaert turned defence into offence, beating Mat Robson five-hole at 34.18 to reduce the deficit to 3-1. Moments later, a misplaced Coventry pass proved costly as Matthew Bouden capitalised, his speculative effort sneaking past Robson to make it a one-goal game at 3-2.
After a brief lull, the contest burst back into life in the final ten minutes.
At 50.48, Otto Nieminen bundled in Drydn Dow’s heavy blue-line shot past Robson to level the scores at 3-3. Just 74 seconds later, the momentum swung decisively when Kameron Kielly punished a Blaze turnover to give the Stars their first lead of the night at 3-4.
Coventry showed resilience in response and restored parity once more at 54.32. Mack Stewart netted his first goal of the regular season, deftly tipping Tallberg’s shot beyond Kruse to force overtime.
With both sides securing a point in regulation, the game moved to 3-on-3 sudden death. It took just 1. 52 for the outcome to be decided as Dundee broke forward on the rush. Under pressure, the puck deflected off Grant Mismash’s stick and into the net, with Justin Bean credited for the decisive overtime winner.
The result was a significant one for the Stars, who closed the gap on Coventry in the playoff race to seven points, while holding three games in hand on the Blaze.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
