Flames secure important road win in Cardiff

Photo: James Assinder

Guildford Flames bounced back from a midweek defeat that knocked them off the top of the Viaplay Elite League with a well-earned three-goal road win in Cardiff at a sold-out Ice Area Wales.

It took the Flames, who's been beaten 6-1 at home by Belfast on Wednesday night, just 95 seconds to open the scoring in this game through Peter Crinella's one-timer in the slot off a quick faceoff play and good pass from Braley Lalonde. The Flames held that advantage into the first break with the period's only other point of note a Devils' powerplay that went uncapitalised upon.

A rocket Bradley Lalonde shot went through Taran Kozun's net to make it 2-0 2:08 into period two, but the Devils were back in things at 28:33 when Joey Martin converted from the slot off an excellent Trevor Cox pass from the wing. Ryan Tait capitalised on a bouncing puck in the crease to put the Flames back two ahead with 4:40 left in the middle frame.

Jordan Klimek gave the visitors a three-goal cushion 3:50 into period three, and when the Devils gambled late on with the extra skater it was Daniel Tedesco who scored the Flames' fifth of the night to put the game to bed with 3:26 to play. Ryan Penny added a late consolation for the home side.