Blaze Succumbs to Keep Flames Alive

Published on: 25 Oct, 2026
Updated on: 25 Oct, 2026

A crucial tie between Flames and the visiting Coventry Blaze went down to the wire with the home team snatching victory on the back of a late Alex Lavoie strike with less than three minutes remaining for a 2-1 win.

The result keeps Flames’ hopes for an advanced round Challenge Cup berth alive, just, heading into their final group game at Coventry on Sunday.

They need to overtake game-in-hand Cardiff Devils in third place above them in the Cup table to advance to the play-offs.

Despite Flames on the wrong end of a 17-3 shot count in the opening frame, the clubs skated to the break still on a scoreless draw.

A recovery of sorts in the middle set balanced the ice a bit more with Flames taking a 13-11 shot advantage. The period looked like it might also time out before a goal was scored but a pair of traded strikes by Ryan Richardson for Blaze in the 35th minute cancelled out by a Cole Sanford reply 80 seconds later left it all to play for in the final set.

Chances at either end for a good stretch of the third period continued to go begging until Lavoie’s opening goal on Spectrum ice turned into the eventual winner with time on short supply.

Alex Lavoie who scored the opener and the winner on Saturday. John Uwins

Blaze opted for an empty net and extra skater with about 150 seconds left, but were unable to find the equaliser, ultimately leaving Flames still in contention while bowing out themselves.

Justin Fazio turned away all but one of 37 shots his way against Sisu Heikkeri who went 33 for 35.

“Our first period was not good at all, and we were lucky to get out of there still level.” admitted Head Coach Paul Dixon.

“Credit to the guys for turning it around and we were a lot better as the game progressed and we found a way to get a win and keep in with a chance to get to the next round of the cup.”

“We have to win again Sunday, to keep that hope up, but definitely a big win here to put us in this position.”

Match Stats by Don Starr