Flames earn first win of season over Devils, move into second

Photo: John Uwins

The Guildford Flames beat the Cardiff Devils for the first time in five attempts this season on Sunday night, getting important Premier Sports Elite League points to move into second in the table.

In what was an unusually feisty game between these two sides, the opening period ended scoreless. With 19 seconds left in the period, Sam Duggan and Jordan Cownie were both given roughing minors for a tussle after a solid open-ice hit by the former on the latter.

It took until 30:32 for the deadlock to finally be broken, but the goal was worth the wait for Flames fans. Alex Yuill started off a quick Flames rush, with Owen Griffiths teeing up Robert Lachowicz for the back door finish to give Guildford the lead.

Cardiff, beaten by Sheffield at home on Saturday night, looked out of sorts and struggled to get any decent offense going. Midway through the final period, Josh Batch pushed Brett Ferguson on to netminder Mac Carruth, causing another pile up in front of the net. The Flames came out with a man advantage from the calls, and it was one that they used to full effect with Jake Bolton letting a thunderbolt rip from the blueline which Carruth had no chance of stopping. 

With 2:27 left in the period, Tristan Frei awkwardly ran Mark Richardson into the boards for which he was ejected on a major checking from behind call. Brodie Reid fired past a stranded Kevin Lindskoug after quick thinking form Trevor Cox to bring the Devils back to within one, but they were unable to muster anything more to trouble the Flames' netminder in the remaining 110 seconds of powerplay time, and Guildford celebrated a hard-fought win - snapping a three-game losing streak.

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