Goals from Colin Shields, Steve Thornton and a brace from man of the match Craig Peacock were not enough as the Belfast Giants were on the losing end of a must-win game in Coventry on Sunday evening, as the Blaze won 6-4.
Having gone down to Hull on Saturday night it was important that Coventry came out of this one with a win to keep themselves in pole position.
Both teams have seven games left to play, but Coventry now have a five point lead over Belfast.
The game was tight throughout and wasn't really decided until the last minute of the game when Luke Fulghum found the empty net.
The home side got off to the perfect start as Greg Chambers (27th) at 4.31 netted on the powerplay.
They doubled their lead with a shorthanded goal at 13.56 from the stick of Dan Carlson (20th).
Belfast pulled one back before the end of the period as Craig Peacock (21st) found the net at 15.53 to make it 2-1 in favour of the home side.
It was game on again as Steve Thornton (5th) scored at 26.32 to make it all square.
But the home side hit two in two minutes the first of these came from Greg Owen (22nd) at 37.05 and then Jonathan Weaver (13th) at 39.22 on the powerplay to restore the hosts two goal lead.
But once again the Giants hit back as Colin Shields (38th) on the powerplay at 46.19 cut the deficit to one.
Try as they might the visitors just couldn't get on level terms and Dan Carlson (21st) at 51.09 made it 5-3 to the home side.
Then Craig Peacock (22nd) at 52.55 once again reduced the score line to a single goal.
The Giants pulled goaltender Stephen Murphy at 59.15 and four seconds later it was game over as Luke Fulgham (47th) found the empty net at 59.19.
Period Scores: 2-1, 2-1, 2-2
Penalty Mins: Cov 10 Bel 22
Powerplay: Cov 3/10 Bel - 1/4
Shots On: Peter Hirsch 43 - Stephen Murphy 38 + 1 ENG
Referee: Matt Thompson
(Match report courtesy of www.belfastgiants.com)
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