The DPD Coventry Blaze opened their Motorpoint Elite League regular season with a thrilling 3-4 victory over Dundee Stars in Scotland on Sunday. Both sides created good opportunities early on, with Artie Buzoverya and William Boysen among those going close with the first chances of the game. Blaze netminder Sisu Heikkeri was called into action during the opening five minutes and produced several good saves to keep Dundee at bay. Boysen then came agonisingly close to opening the scoring when his effort struck the post at the seven-minute mark. The physicality began to ramp up during the final 10 minutes of the opening period, with several heavy exchanges involving Connor Russell, Jaxson Ezman and Nick Grima. The pressure eventually paid off for the Blaze when Grima opened the scoring at 18:11, with an assist from Ezman. The defenceman firing a quick shot through traffic and into the Dundee net. There were some heavy afters before the buzzer, with Boysen involved in some pushing and shoving as tempers began to rise. Dundee started the second period with an opportunity to respond, when Brynley Capps was sent to the box for tripping. Griffin Ness and Matthew Gleason broke away on the ensuing play for Coventry but were denied. Dundee eventually found their equaliser at 27:00 following a lengthy review for a possible kicking motion. After review, the goal was allowed to stand, with Rasmus Nousiainen credited with bringing the game level. The Blaze responded immediately. At 27:22, Brett Perlini restored the Blaze's lead, finishing a move assisted by Ezman and Buzoverya to make it 1-2. A back-and-forth start to the third period saw Dundee find another equaliser with eight minutes remaining, bringing the game level once again. Nousiainen got his second of the night at 51:30 to make it 2-2. The game then gave the fans in attendance a thrilling finale. Ryan Richardson, unassisted, put the Blaze back in front at 55:27, but Dundee refused to stay quiet. Connor Russell was called for cross-checking at 56:07, and Dundee immediately capitalised on the resulting powerplay, tying the game at 3-3 just 10 seconds later through a good attempt by Travis Ewanyk. But a resilient Coventry responded once again. Blue-liner Marko Csollak restored the one-goal advantage at 57:26, firing a slap shot to put the Blaze back in front. Dundee pulled their goaltender with around a minute remaining in an attempt to force overtime, but the hosts couldn't find a way through a committed Blaze side, who held firm to secure their first Motorpoint Elite League victory in Scotland.