Blaze earn first win in Belfast in over 1,000 days

Photo: William Cherry

Belfast Giants' 12-game winning streak came to an end with a home defeat to Coventry Blaze, adding another twist to the title race in the Viaplay Elite League. The victory was Coventry's first in Belfast for 1,068 days.

The Blaze, who were beaten 6-1 in Belfast on Saturday night, had an excellent start to Sunday's game. Nathan Ripley gave them the lead with only 47 played when he tapped home a rebound from a Ross Venus shot. JD Dudek teed up Tyler Kirkup for nice wrist shot finish from the circle to beat Tyler Beskorowany and put the Blaze two ahead with 4:49 played. Blaze forward Kim Tallberg was given a boarding major at 15:21, and when Alexander Kuqali shot the puck out of the playing surface 90 seconds later the Giants went on a 5-on-3 advantage. The pressure told as Gabe Bast pulled one back for the Giants with 1:38 left in the period.

Period two was a penalty-laden affair which also saw Bast receive a boarding major. Kirkup added his second of the game on the 5-on-3 but the Giants survived the rest of the time shorthanded and ended the period only two behind.

The Blaze played a smart defensive game in the final period to see the game out without giving Belfast much chance of finding a way back into things. Miklós Rajna ended the game with 32 saves for his second straight win in Blaze colours.