Coventry Blaze failed to score for the first time this season in a gruelling match against Fife that looks set to give them a tough challenge in the play-offs.

Arriving at the Scottish arena late because the coach driver went the wrong way, the travel-weary Blaze players looked like they might re-live their worst nightmare when the Fife Zamboni ice machine broke down.

Last night’s game was re-scheduled from a fixture last month, when the Zamboni broke down shortly before face-off, forcing postponement.

The 2-0 defeat, the eighth games in 12 days, saw both goals being scored in powerplays in the second period.

Steven King scored first, in the 23rd minute, as Claude Dumas sat out a holding minor, and there were just 28 seconds of period left when Frank Morris netted, as Kurt Irvine was preparing to return to the ice after a slashing penalty.

The defeat means the Blaze must rely on other teams beating Fife if they are to stay above them in the BNL table.

If Coventry finish forth they will play Milton Keynes, Peterborough and either Guildford or Basingstoke in the round-robin section of the play-offs, which start on 3 March.

Coventry will be seeking revenge in the Planet Ice Shield tomorrow evening at 7.30pm, when Milton Keynes Kings come to the Skydome, fresh from their victory over the Blaze last week.

There is no home league game at the weekend, as the Blaze complete their BNL fixtures with a match at Hull on Sunday.

Period scores : 0-0/2-0/0-0

Penalty minutes : 10-14

Shots on goal : 31-30

Attendance : 1165

Referee : Moray Hanson

Flyers : Morris 1+1; S.King 1+0; Dutiaume 0+1; Monteith 0+1; Robertson 0+1.  Net - Murphy 30/0