Blaze survive late Flames scare

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Coventry Blaze survived a late scare against Guildford Flames to record a 5-3 win at the Skydome on Wednesday evening.

Radek Veselý scored the only goal of the opening period, but through Peyto Franntti at 21:21, and Marly Quince at 34:55, the Blaze had built a three-goal lead through two periods.

Garrett Johnston looked to have put things to bed when he put the hosts four ahead with 7:13 to go, however the Flames were to mount a late fightback. Owen Griffiths and Johan Eriksson struck three minutes apart to make it 4-2, before Ian McNulty dived in for the puck to poke it home with 2:56 left on the clock.

That set up a frantic final few minutes in a one-goal game, but the Blaze made the points safe when Ross Venus found Mitch cook on the other side of the crease for a back-post tap-in.