The Cassidy Coventry Blaze have put themselves in a great position to retain the Elite League after beating Sheffield Steelers 5-4 in a thriller. The Blaze are now six points ahead of second placed Sheffield and head coach Paul Thompson paid tribute to his team.
He told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, "I said to the boys we have to win against the teams around us and that's key for winning the league."
The Blaze could be crowned champions on Saturday if results go their way.
They need Sheffield lose to Newcastle and Coventry to beat Manchester if they are to win their third league title in four years.
Coventry came back from a goal down to beat Sheffield at the Hallam Arena, with Danny Stewart and Sylvain Cloutier finding the net.
But it was man of the match Adam Calder who made the headlines with a stunning hat trick.
The Blaze and the Elite League's leading scorer got a special recognition from Thompson.
"He's a like a good wine, he gets better and better with age," added Thompson. "He's the best player in the league this year by a country mile."
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