Flames take control of cup Quarter-Final first leg

Photo: John Uwins

Guildford Flames will be in full control of their Challenge cup Quarter-Final when they play the second leg in Coventry next week after beating the Blaze 5-0 at the Spectrum on Saturday night.

Paul Dixon's team wasted little time in making their home advantage count, taking the lead through Turner Ripplinger's rebound conversion at 7:55. Sam Marklund got the final touch on a scramble around the net at 15:27 to double the home side's lead.

Marklund's smart backhand pass off a rebound set up Peter Crinella for the far post finish into a gaping cage on the powerplay 12:50 into period two, before the Flames put their foot on the gas in the final period.

Daniel Tedesco's shot trickled through Paavo Hölsä 3:38 into the third, and he added his side's fifth some two minutes later with a high backhand shot into the roof of the net.

Owen Griffiths had a chance to extend that lead but was denied by Hölsä on a breakaway with eight minutes to go. Eamon McAdam held on for a 28-shot shutout.