Flames into sixth with road win

Photo: Scott Stevens

Guildford Flames moved into sixth place with a 3-2 win over Coventry Blaze at the Skydome, the first time since mid-December that Blaze have suffered back-to-back defeats.

Flames opened the scoring at 13:44 of the first period when Charles Curti fired a shot over Mat Robson’s shoulder and into the net. Late penalties handed Guildford a two-man advantage, and Mathieu Gosselin capitalised with 13 seconds remaining in the period, picking out the top corner to give Flames a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

“They came at us hard at the beginning, but after that I think we regrouped and found our game,” said Flames defenceman Jonathan Racine. “We had good gaps and some solid penalty killing that gave us momentum.”

Blaze responded early in the second period. After sustained pressure, Grant Mismash beat Justin Fazio low to get the hosts on the board before adding his second just over two minutes later with a well-placed shot from the left circle to level the game at 2-2.

“I thought we played really well. We gave up a couple of bounces in the first that they scored on, but I think we played well 5-on-5,” explained Blaze forward Grant Mismash. “It would have been nice to capitalise on a few of our chances, but they have a good goalie and they packed in tight. Overall, I thought we played well and controlled the game for the most part.”

Guildford regained the lead later in the period when a Marcus Tesink pass across the crease deflected in off Jere Vertanen’s skate and past Robson.

Blaze pushed hard for an equaliser in the third period, but Fazio proved the difference in goal for Flames. The netminder denied several late chances, including a close-range effort from William Boysen, before a late Vertanen attempt drifted just wide as Guildford held on to secure the win.

“Staying confident is important for us,” said Blaze forward Grant Mismash. “Since Christmas and New Year’s we’ve been playing good hockey. I think we’ve found our brand and just need to stick with that. We’ve lost these two games, but we have a big one coming up on Wednesday now.”

“Playing our game is important,” added Racine. “We’re a good team when we play together. Playoffs are around the corner, but we just have to focus on the next game. I have a good feeling about our group.”