An early 3rd period goal by Lewis Hook brought Flames level, then a successful kill of a late 5 minute major helped Spectrum’s men earn a table point ahead of overtime then penalties where Jack Jacome, Ethan Strang, and Brett Ferguson goals in front of 3 penalty saves, not including one in OT, by Jake Kupsky nailed down a 3-2 win over the visiting Coventry Blaze.
Alecio Luciani inside the opening 3 minutes set Blaze to a lead they then extended 46 seconds from period close when they converted a 5 on 3 powerplay opportunity off the stick of Nick Seitz.
Most of the 2nd ticked away before another goal that eventually went to the Flames side of the ledger with Jacome cutting the deficit to a single ahead of the 3rd.
Early in the 3rd, Hook squared, but as happened 24 hours earlier penalty trouble put the home team short a man late. This time a major penalty and game misconduct to Travis Brown had his side short most of the remainder of regulation, but they were able to melt off the full 5 minutes, gain a table point and force an extra period.
In the 4th frame, Kupsky was forced to make a game saving penalty shot on Luciani before Flames went to a 4 on 3 powerplay 90 seconds from the end, but neither could they convert before the 3 goal to nothing penalty success secured the win and the 2nd table point.
Kupsky finished the night 35 for 37 shots while Mat Robson for Coventry had 26 saves on 28 his way.
“We said yesterday that when stuff happens you have to find a way to stem the tide,” said Paul Dixon, “and we were able to do that tonight by closing out that entire major penalty without any damage.”
“It was a massive key moment obviously to help us take the first point, then a great effort in overtime and penalties from the back out, Jake with a huge penalty shot save in OT, and obviously the penalty scorers to take a win.”
“We couldn’t be happier what that outcome ahead Christmas and we look forward to hopefully being able to follow up on it in action next weekend against Manchester home and away.”
