BLAZE are celebrating after securing a spot in the Elite League play-offs despite seeing their five-game winning streak come to an end in Sheffield on Sunday evening.
With nearest rivals Manchester Storm losing at home to Braehead Clan, Blaze claimed the final qualifying spot despite losing 6-3 to Sheffield Steelers.
Three goals in five first-period minutes put Steelers in command with Mathieu Roy opening the scoring before Ben O’Connor bagged a brace.
Captain Ashley Tait got Blaze on the board with 64 seconds of the first session remaining with his 199th marker for the club and 249th in all EIHL competitions.
Luke Ferrara made it 4-1 but strikes from Jordan Pietrus and Chris Bruton made it a one-goal game.
However further powerplay goals from Jeff Legue and Tyler Mosienko ensured Steelers snapped a six-game losing run against Blaze.
“We didn’t get off to the start we were looking for,” said Jordan Pietrus. “We have been playing well of late and at this time of year we want to get every win. We have to learn from it and re-group.”