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Final third and even second place finishes are still possible but so is elimination. A second place finish would allow automatic progression and third place a play-off match. (See Don Starr’s table below for details.)

Immediately after killing a penalty, Karl Boudrias stepped Flames in front when he scored in the 11th minute, and they kept that lead to the break but Matthew Gleason brought Blaze level when he squared it at 26:35.

Flames were unable to re-take the advantage during a mid period five-on-three that lasted for 83 seconds, but in the frame’s late stages, a short powerplay for the visitors had just expired when Justin Ducharme did put his side up 2-1 to begin the third.

Less than a minute into the last set, this time not long after a Blaze powerplay expired, they tied it again through Jaxson Ezman and an immediate follow up gave them the lead when Gleason bagged his second of the contest.

However, Spectrum’s men took their cue to do the same when Josh Waller knotted it at 47:08 and Tyler Busch re-stored a Flames margin just 39 seconds later when he made it 4-3 with what turned out to be the winner ahead of a last minute empty netter by Brett Neumann.

Justin Fazio made 34 saves on 37 shots while Evan Fitzpatrick kicked aside 22 of 26.

“We are not through yet, but certainly in a good spot to have a good chance to advance depending on how other results go on Wednesday for other Cup teams,” said Paul Dixon.

“There is a very good chance we will advance, and we have to credit the guys for putting us in this spot in a tough group that we have never advanced out of since this format was in place.”

“On Wednesday though, we can’t watch other teams, we have our own League schedule to contend with and we need to re-set now and get ready for Dundee Stars at Spectrum.”

Match stats by Don Starr

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