Watson hits hat trick in Flames' road win

Photo: Flyers Images

Guildford Flames came from a goal down to record a convincing victory in their first league fixture of the season, putting seven past Fife Flyers in Kirkcaldy.

Fife had the better of the opening period and led at the break. Johan Porsberger scored his sixth goal in four games when he tipped home Ryan Nicholson's shot on net with 3:32 played. Justin Fazio in the Flames’ net produced several important saves to keep the Flyers’ lead to just one.

“Fife came out really hard in the first period, they were forechecking hard and we just had to weather the storm,” said Flames forward Jamal Watson of the opening period.

Period two began with Fife receiving a bench minor for delay of game after taking too long to return to the ice - and when they did, every player took a skate rather than heading straight to the bench. The Flames made them pay almost instantly, with Watson tying the game just 59 seconds into the period. Guildford then went ahead at 22:44 through a Marcus Tesink shot from the point.

Things slipped away from the Flyers at speed. Watson scored again at 31:28, then completed his hat trick just 20 seconds later, taking a feed to round Shane Owen and slot home.

"It feels good, it’s been a long time - I think it’s been about 15 years since I scored three goals in a game,” joked the Flames’ makeshift forward. “It’s been a tough few weeks with quite a few injuries, but everyone is starting to get healthy now. We have to be ready to go every night.”

The Flames were awarded a penalty shot at 35:21 when Ian Scheid batted a dropped stick toward a Flames player during an attack. Cole Ully converted to make it 5-1.

Guildford didn’t stop there, adding two more goals through Charlie Curti and Tyler Busch by the 54-minute mark. Vlastimil Dostálek added a late consolation for the hosts as the Flames ran out 7-2 winners.