Flames stay top with OT win

Photo: Dean Woolley

Guildford Flames stayed top of the Premier Sports Elite League table thanks to an overtime win over Sheffield Steelers live on Premier Sports on Thursday night.

Inside the opening minute of the game, Daniel Ciampini forced a turnover in the Flames' end and fed Scott Allen who shot high past Eamon McAdam to give the home side the lead. 

An excellent drop pass from Robert Lachowicz found Ian McNulty for a one-timer to level the scores at 10:48, with the first period ending all square.

The Steelers hit two goals in just under five minutes to take control of things in the middle period. Matt Petgravr cut in from the wing across the face of McAdam before dekeing and finishing for an excellent individual goal at 28:42, before Tomáš Pitule got the final touch on a loose puck in the crease for the 3-1 lead at 33:31.

Former Steeler Ben O'Connor got the Flames back into things 40 seconds later on the powerplay with a slapshot from the blueline that deflected in off David Phillips' skate in front. 

A one-goal game heading into period three, the Flames survived a double high-sticking minor on Mike Crocock, and Allen shooting over on a 2-on-0, before drawing level inside the final five minutes. Brett Ferguson won the faceoff and Peter Crinella snapped his shot straight from the draw to tie things with 55:21 on the board.

In overtime, Sam Marklund forced a turnover off Brendan Connolly in the corner before feeding Bradley Lalonde for the slapshot from the slot to win it and give Guildford the extra point.