Flames end Blaze's unbeaten streak

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Guildford Flames handed Coventry Blaze their first defeat in nine games with 3-2 win at the Skydome on Friday night.

It was a fast start with the Flames ahead inside the opening minute - 32 seconds, in fact, on the clock when Austin Glover put them one up with a shot into an almost empty net after a fortunate bounce off a Mike Crocock shot from the point. Peter Crinella then doubled that lead at 4:29 with a neat finish off a long stretch pass from Bradley Lalonde. 

Alessio Luciani continued his recent scoring with a goal at 6;35 to halve the deficit, bundling the puck home from close range, and 9:23 into period two he brought the home side level. 

Bradley Lalonde won it for the Flames with 1:20 left in the middle period, joining the rush late and beating Taran Kozun from a tight angle. The Blaze had Kozun out for the final 34 seconds, but serving a Too Many Men call made their task of winning the game somewhat harder.

The sides meet again tomorrow in Guildford.