Flames complete four-point weekend

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Guildford celebrated a four-point weekend with victory over Coventry for the second game in a row.

After a two-hour delay due to a mechanical fault with the Skydome zamboni, the game fired into life. Guildford took the lead on the powerplay when Levi Cable fired a wrist shot past CJ Motte at 3:46 with David Broll serving a two-minute roughing minor.

The Flames almost extended their lead five minutes later but Robert Lachowicz couldn’t squeeze the puck past Motte. Coventry had plenty of chances of their own with Janne Kivilahti and John Curran both forcing excellent saves from Kevin Lindskoug.

The home side’s pressure paid off on 15:39 with a powerplay goal of their own. Nathanael Halbert’s shot from the point redirected in off Broll to level the game heading into the first intermission.

The fast-paced physical nature of this matchup continued after the break and Kivilahti almost scored a stunning solo goal 4:10 into the period. The Finn - making his home debut tonight - danced past the Flames defence and had a fantastic effort stopped by Lindskoug in the Flames net. The visitors had three powerplay opportunities within seven minutes - including 1:43 of 5-on-3 - however, the Blaze special team stood firm to keep the score tied.

Period three was another close affair with both sides pushing to take the points but it was the Flames who landed the crucial blow. Ian Watters rounded the net and scored low to Motte’s glove side

Motte was pulled for the extra skater with 1:57 to go and the Blaze had a 6-on-3 opportunity for the final minute. However, Lindskoug made an unbelievable stop in the last second from Luke Ferrara to give the Flames the victory.

by Dan Blackham

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