The Coventry Blaze produced a strong road performance to claim a 2-3 overtime victory in front of a sold-out Spectrum crowd against the Guildford Flames on Saturday night.
The Blaze controlled much of the early play, but the Flames looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with Mat Robson in the Coventry net forced into a couple of big saves during the opening minutes.
Coventry were awarded the first powerplay of the night, but it was the home side who struck first. Former Blaze forward Nick Seitz capitalised on a 2-on-1 break to score shorthanded and give Guildford the lead.
The Blaze enjoyed two further powerplay opportunities before the first intermission, but Jake Kupsky stood firm in the Flames net, ensuring the home side took a 1-0 advantage into the dressing room at the end of the opening 20 minutes.
Coventry came out for the second period with renewed vigour and were rewarded at 27.12 when William Boysen made the breakthrough to level the game at 1-1, assisted by David Clements and Matthew Gleason.
The Blaze then made their powerplay count at 34.07 to take a 1-2 lead. Grayson Constable’s effort awarded following video review for a high stick, with assists credited to Alessio Luciani and Jordan Power.
Guildford received their first powerplay opportunity of the night at 35.38. After a strong penalty kill by Coventry, the Flames were handed another man advantage which carried over into the third period.
After successfully killing the penalty, the Flames tied the game at 45.26 through Jake Coughler, assisted by Cole Ully and Jamal Watson.
The Blaze were soon forced back onto the penalty kill following the equaliser, but showed good character to prevent the Flames from gaining momentum and taking the lead.
With neither side willing to make a costly mistake and risk losing at least a point, the final ten minutes were played out in disciplined fashion, sending the contest into sudden-death overtime.
In the extra period, it was Coventry who found the decisive moment at 2.49. Power drove up the ice and, despite being well defended, forced an error from Kupsky. The Flames netminder attempted to move the puck quickly but inadvertently dropped his stick, gifting Constable a late Christmas present.
The Blaze forward gladly accepted the opportunity, firing the puck into the empty net to secure the two points for Coventry who have taken 10 of the last 12 available.
