Flames recovered from 2 goals down in period 3, to take a lead that they would later lose but it was enough for overtime and penalties where Peter Crinella had the only goal of the 10 shooters to decide a 5-4 win over Coventry Blaze.
At 11:51 Colton Yellow Horn nudged Blaze into a lead, but a quick reply just over a minute later by Brett Ferguson tied it at a goal each. With time ticking away, Crinella appeared to have struck a buzzer beater for a lead, but indeed time had run out ahead of the puck in the net and the clubs started the 2nd each credited with a single.
In the 37th minute, Yellow Horn’s 2nd put Blaze back in front and Marly Quince, with just 75 seconds on the period clock, had the visitors enjoying a 2 goal spread through 40 minutes.
A 2nd period penalty that carried over put Flames on a powerplay to start the final set, and Spectrum’s men converted through Ryan Tait 52 seconds after re-start. Daniel Tedesco levelled at 44:08 and Logan Fredericks had Flames in front a couple minutes after that. However, a late Quince strike made 4 each and ensured each team would take a point from regulation.
Overtime solved nothing and penalties were required where Crinella bagged the winner.
Taz Burman made 36 saves on 40 shots while Paavo Hölsä turned away 34 of 38.
“That was a bit of a roller coaster, but an exciting way to get a win,” said Paul Dixon.
“Without great goaltending in the 2nd, the game would have been over long before we ever dreamed of being in overtime because Coventry was all over us for good chunks of that period. Fortunately, we managed to get out of there at least still in some semblance of reasonable touching distance.”
“Fair play to all the guys for coming out in the 3rd and turning the whole night around. They didn’t give up and they were rewarded for the effort with enough offence to at least get a point while giving ourselves a chance to eventually be the lucky team to get the extra point during penalties.”
“Coventry is a really good team, so the overall outcome is a great reflection on the determination and resiliency this locker room has shown a few times this season.”
