Flames survive Stars comeback, win in shootout

Photo: John Uwins

Guildford Flames got their first home win of the season in three attempts against Dundee Stars, but were again pegged back by their Scottish opponents before winning post-60 minutes.

For the first time since March 2019, the opening period of a Flames vs. Star encounter ended without goals. Guildford had the better of the early possession, but it was Dundee who should have opened the scoring - Drydn Dow shot narrowly wide in close, while Ryan Valentini was a split-second away from connecting with a one-timer in the slot. Guildford's best chance came through Matt Alvaro who almost walked the puck past Kevin Carr, while a barrage of shots on a powerplay also called the Stars' goalie into action.

The game sprang into life in period two. Guildford took the lead with Turner Ripplinger turning on a loose puck to fire past Carr in the slot and make it 1-0 only 24 seconds in. Ryan Valentini levelled six minutes later with an excellent bottle-popper wrist shot, but two penalties in quick succession put the visitors two skaters down, and captain Brett Ferguson put the hosts back ahead walking in from the slot at 30:54. A Bradley Lalonde slap shot beat Carr low to make it 3-1 with 3:35 left in the middle period.

Tommy Parrottino got the Stars back to within one 5:14 into period three, before Valentini beat Taz Burman short side at 47:02 to tie the game. Both sides had chances to take the two points in regulation but the 60-minute buzzer sounded with the teams tied at three each.

In overtime, Dow missed a half-open net under pressure with the Stars' best chance to win it, while Lewis Hook should have beaten Carr with a one-timer but Carr got across his crease to make the save.

The game was decided in a shootout - Brett Ferguson scoring the only goal, and Burman stopped all five Stars attempts.