Flames win battle of opening night

Photo: John Uwins

The Guildford Flames celebrated an opening night victory as they kicked off their Premier Sports Challenge Cup campaign at home to the Coventry Blaze with a three-goal victory.

Things started brightly for the BLaze who were ahead inside 80 seconds through Evan Bloodoff from close range. It didn't, however, take the hosts long to respond - Brett Ferguson wristing home from the slot straight off a faceoff with 3:19 gone. The turnaround was completed at 16:03 through Jake Bolton, however when Luke Ferrara was left all alone in front of the net he tied the game with 16:46 on the clock.

Kyle Lock fired home from the point 3:32 into period two to put the Flames back ahead, and that was a goal that Guildford were not to look back from. Jamal Watson tipped in from close range just before the 30-minute mark to make it 4-2, and by 34:41 Chris Gerrie had made it five for the hosts with another deflection in front of CJ Motte's net. Levi Cable completed the four-goal period with his side's sixth of the game 1:59 before the buzzer.

Mac Howlett saw his backhanded effort in the slot find the net at 49:15 to put seven on the board for the Flames, however the Blaze did post a late fightback with goals from Alex Marsh and Johnny Curran making it a 7-4 scoreline at the final buzzer.

Gallery