The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze mounted an impressive third period comeback to secure a dramatic 3-4 penalty shootout victory over the Dundee Stars at Dundee Ice Arena in Elite League action.
Dundee took an early lead, scoring twice within the first five minutes. Brett Gravelle opened the scoring at 4.12, assisted by Keanu Yamamoto and Kris Inglis. Just 39 seconds later, Brenan Harms doubled the Stars’ advantage, converting from Kyle Pouncy and Zachary Tsekos.
However, Coventry responded swiftly, cutting the deficit to 2-1 at 5.01. Nick Seitz scored his first of the night, assisted by Grayson Constable and Alessio Luciani. Despite being outshot in the opening frame, Coventry held the shore-line to 2-1 heading into the break.
The Stars maintained momentum early in the second, but their progress was briefly interrupted when Brendan Harms received two penalties for slashing and abuse of the official.
Coventry’s powerplay couldn’t capitalise, and Dundee made them pay at 35.10. Philippe Sanche restored the Stars’ two-goal lead, with assists from Ben O’Connor and Yamamoto, taking the game to 3-1 after two periods.
Coventry began their fightback in the final frame. At 45.20, the standout Seitz notched his second goal of the game, assisted by Terrance Amorosa, to pull Blaze within one.
Shortly after, Blaze goalie Mat Robson delivered a crucial one-on-one save against Sanche, keeping the deficit at 3-2. With under four minutes remaining, Amorosa scored his first Blaze goal, assisted by Mike Kennedy, to level the game at 3-3 and force overtime.
In overtime, both goalies shone. Dundee’s Richard Sabol denied Luciani and Mike Regush, while Robson thwarted Tsekos on a breakaway, taking the game to a shootout.
In the penalty shootout, both teams traded successful attempts, including Seitz bagging a third goal before Blaze captain Kim Tallberg clinched the win with the final shot.
Photo credit: Derek Black
