Blaze come from behind, win in shootout

Photo: Al Goold

Coventry Blaze came from two goals down in Braehead before eventually winning the game in a shootout on Saturday evening - but not before Mat Robson stopped a Mitchell heard penalty shot in the final seconds of overtime!

Liam Finlay’s goal was the only thing separating the teams after the opening period at Braehead Arena, where the Clan outshot their visitors 16 to 7. Finlay cut in from the wing and used the passing option to deceive Mat Robson, beating him high at 13:38 on the powerplay.

A four-goal second period saw Clan cruising but then back to where they started when the buzzer finally sounded. Matt Berry scored twice in under three minutes to put Clan three up by 28:19, and seemingly in control. Brandon Alderson finished a passing play to get the blaze on the board 58 seconds later, before Chase Gresock then made it a 3-2 game at 36:36.

The Blaze pushed for the equaliser for the majority of period three, and then pulled Robson with 1:33 to play. Exactly ten seconds later, captain Kim Tallberg crashed a shot past Landon Bow to tie the game.

Both teams took a point with the game tied after 60 minutes. In overtime, Heard's tripping minor gave the Blaze the best chance to win but their powerplay couldn't find a winner. With the clock running out on the bonus period, a thrown stick led to Heard being awarded a penalty shot as he was on a breakaway when it happened - but he fumbled his attempt. 

Mike Regush, Terrance Amorosa and Kim Tallberg all scored in the shootout, while Heard being the only scorer for Clan saw the visitors take the extra point.