Cruikshank tames Panthers to hand Blaze five point lead

BRAD Cruikshank's third period strike sealed victory for leaders Coventry Blaze in their top-of-the-table clash with Nottingham Panthers at the Coventry Skydome Arena.

The Panthers had stood toe-to-toe with their Midlands rivals in the first two periods but Cruikshank edged the home side ahead in the final period, before Russell Cowley slotted into an empty net with 30 seconds left to secure a 5-3 victory.

Panthers had hammered Hull Stingrays 9-1 the previous night and were in rampant mood as goals from Jade Galbraith and David Clarke cancelled out Greg Chambers' early strike to hand them the lead in the first period.

But the Blaze, who needed overtime to scrape past Edinburgh Capitals on Saturday, quickly struck back through Greg Owen.

The home side had the better of the second half but could only manage one goal from 24 attempts as Danny Stewart found a way through but Cameron Mann equalised for the Panthers shortly after to keep the game tied going into the final period.

However, yet again the Blaze piled on the pressure and after Cruikshank's strike, goaltender Peter Hirsch kept out 13 shots to maintain his side's advantage before Cowley sealed the win and handed Coventry a five point lead at the top of the table.

Third-placed Belfast Giants also slipped up on Sunday losing the second of their double header at Sheffield Steelers.

The Giants won 3-1 at Sheffield Arena on Saturday but slumped to a 4-3 defeat on Sunday with Jonathan Zion, Kevin Bolibruck, Jeff Legue and Doug Sheppard all scoring for the English outfit.

Elsewhere, Edinburgh Capitals scored their first ever away shutout as Owen Fussey's 29th minute strike was enough for a 1-0 win at Cardiff Devils.

Meanwhile, bottom club Hull Stingrays continued their resurgence with a 5-3 defeat of Newcastle Vipers.