Calder helps Blaze clinch Shield

Blaze skipper Calder celebrates his overtime winner (Pic: Mark Tredgold)

Adam Calder scored an overtime winner to help Coventry Blaze clinch the Charity Shield.

Skipper Calder grabbed a hat-trick as Blaze beat Sheffield Steelers 5-4 at the Skydome on Wednesday.

Carlyle Lewis helped put Blaze three-up but they were pegged back by Jonathan Phillips (two) and Nathan Gillies.

Dan Carlson added a fourth only to see Coventry send the game into overtime, which was just half-a-minute old when Calder struck his third.

Steelers head coach Dave Matsos told BBC Radio Sheffield the match was a great workout for his side ahead of the start of their Elite League Campaign.

"The whole point of this was to get a feel for each other and I thought we worked hard," said Matsos.

"They came out hard in the first 10 minutes of the game and I think myself and [Blaze coach] Paul Thompson are pleased with the effort our guys put in.

"I saw some really bright spots on our team, I thought our fore-check was working well and in my mind, defensively, we played a little bit passive.

"That is something we can correct, but overall I think the guys put in a good performance.

"Tonight was a sign that we are ready, these five games were to have us flying for the Elite League season and I believe we have hit that stride."