Blaze edge Flames in shootout in exciting clash

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Evan Bloodoff scored the only goal of the shootout as the Coventry Blaze edged out Guildford Flames 4-3 in an exciting, end-to-end game at the Skydome on Friday night.

Ian Watters opened the scoring on the powerplay with 10:02 played, tapping home John Dunbar's pass at the top of the crease. Justin Hamonic levelled things a little over four minutes later as he wristed past an unsighted Kevin Lindeskoug.

In period two, Janne Laakkonen gave the Blaze the lead at 24:10 only for Ian Mcnulty to cancel that out at 30:35 as the Flames made use of another powerplay opportunity. Nathanael Halbert put the Blaze back ahead at 33:28, but Levi Cable's goal 64 seconds from the buzzer meant it was tied at three each after 40 minutes. 

The final period of regulation didn't produce a goal, and so the teams headed into overtime. 3-on-3 is generally exciting, but with chances at each end the Skydome crowd were kept on the edge of their seats for most of the five minutes.

With no goal in the bonus period either, things were left to be decided in a shootout. CJ Motte stopped all five Guildford attempts, and then watched on as Bloodoff got his shot through Lindskoug to earn the Blaze the extra point.