Blaze best Giants in shootout

Photo: Scott Wiggins

A month after knocking Belfast out of the Challenge Cup, Coventry Blaze survived giving away a two-goal lead to beat the Giants in a shootout on Sunday afternoon.

Coventry were quick out the traps and, off a failed defensive clearance from the Giants, had the lead inside 40 seconds - Ian McNulty fed Kobe Roth in the slot to one-time past Jackson Whistle after only 35 seconds.

Blake Thompson fed Brady Norrish for an excellent one-timer from the point at 14:57 to put the hosts two up on the powerplay, a lead they'd hold into the break.

The only goal of period two saw the Giants pull the deficit back to just one goal. Ciaran Long made the most of a bobbling puck in the Blaze's slot to make it 2-1 with 30:58 played.

Sean Norris tied the game for the Giants with 10:46 left on the third period clock, and as things headed for overtime there was late drama with Travis Brown ejected for Checking to the Head. Belfast survived the final 24 seconds of regulation, and overtime, shorthanded before the game was to be decided in a shootout.

Danny Kristo scored in round two, with JD Dudek putting the Blaze two up in round three. When Daniel Tedesco missed, it fell to McNulty to beat Whistle and earn the Blaze the extra point.