Shootout joy after overtime drama

THE Genting Casino Coventry Blaze showed real resilience on Saturday night, returning from Surrey with a hard-earned two points after a dramatic 2-1 sudden-death shootout victory over the Guildford Flames.

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Coventry made the trip south without regular defensive pair Colton Saucerman and Ivan Chukarov, forcing captain Kim Tallberg and Zack McKenzie, both natural forwards, to drop back and support the blue-line. Up front, the Blaze were boosted by the return of assistant captain Grayson Constable and Artie Buzoverya.

The Blaze started brightly, with the best early chance falling to Buzoverya, but the Ukrainian was unable to settle a pass well enough to beat Jake Kupsky in the Flames’ net. At the other end, former Coventry forward Nick Seitz struck the post behind Mat Robson before the home side earned the first powerplay of the night.