Giants player/coach Steve Thornton scored in Sunday's game

Leaders Coventry struck a potentially decisive blow in the Elite League title race as they edged out nearest rivals Belfast Giants in Sunday's clash.

Coventry have been faltering in recent weeks but the win moves them five points ahead with seven games left.

Greg Chambers and Dan Carlson put Blaze 2-0 up and while Craig Peacock and Steve Thornton levelled, the Giants never got on terms again.

Peacock scored a second Giants goal while Colin Shield was also on target.

Owen and Jonathan Weaver struck to put Coventry 4-2 ahead and while Peacock and Shields scored to reduce Blaze's lead to a solitary goal on two occasions, Carlson and Luke Fulghum's empty-net goal ensured the home victory.

Coventry Blaze coach Paul Thompson told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire:

"It was a hell of a game - two good teams going for a title. We had to win because it would have started putting pressure on.

"When Dan Carlson leads that that, he's everywhere. Couple of times we got ourselves in front. Both teams made errors that good teams capitalise on - and that happened."

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