Flames stay three clear at top

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Guildford Flames stayed three points clear at the top of the Viaplay Elite League with an overtime win in Coventry, bouncing back after two defeats this week. For the Blaze it was their second straight OT defeat this weekend, but extended their run to seven games where they have picked up at least a point.

The scoring was opened early in the game by Ian McNulty at 2:00, who took a quick wristshot that was deflected into the net to put the Flames ahead. Alexander Kuqali tied things up for Coventry at 05:15 with a huge one-timer from the blue line that flew past Eamon McAdam.

The Flames then pulled ahead in the middle of the second period when Mike Crocock shot the puck at the net at 30:08, through a screened Paavo Hölsä.

Ben O'Connor put the Flames further ahead in the third period at 44:56, sniping the puck into the back of the net on the powerplay to put the visitors 30-1 up. The Blaze, however, came back in the second half of the period, with Brady Norrish scoring a powerplay goal at 51:07, followed by Marly Quince's equaliser at 53:52. 

McAdam pulled off a point-blank save inside the final five minutes of the game, while with less than two to play O'Connor saw a wrist shot come back off the post.

Overtime was well-contested between two speedy teams. The winning goal, when it came, was bizarre to say the least. Peter Crinella broke down the win, cut inside, and as he tried to shoot a tangle between him and Norrish saw the puck look up over Hölsä and into the net to give the Flames the extra point.