Flames go three points clear at top

Photo: John Uwins

Guildford Flames made use of their game in hand to go three points clear of Sheffield Steelers at the top of the Viaplay Elite League, but they were made to work for it by an industrious, short-benched Manchester Storm.

The Flames, who won in Sheffield inside the final 22 seconds on Saturday, started fast and were ahead after 25 seconds thanks to Logan Fredericks. Daniel Tedesco made it two at 7:30, and when Brett Ferguson swung a shot off a broken play at 16:25 past Hayden Lavigne it looked like the league leaders might run away with things. 

However, Storm came out in period two with on a mission, and it worked. Zac Herrmann fired a shot past Taz Burman straight off Scott Simmonds' faceoff win to make it 3-1 with 8:55 played in the second, while Tyson Fawcett then pulled them back to within a goal at 32:59. 

Guildford needed to respond in period three, and did so. Ryan Tait went around the back of Lavigne's net and skated in front to finish across the Storm goalie 35 seconds in to make it 4-2, while Ian McNulty finished off a Robert Lachowicz feed for a 5-2 lead at 45:09. Again, however, Storm fought back. The impressive Liam Blackburn scored just 45 seconds later before Anthony Deluca, assisted by Blackburn, got Manchester back to within one with 6:20 to play. 

Matt Ginn pulled Lavigne with over two minutes to go in favour of the extra skater, and despite some decent pressure on the Flames' net a breakdown allowed Sam Marklund to slide the puck into the empty net with 37 seconds remaining.