Flames move level in second

Photo: John Uwins

Guildford Flames moved level on points with Belfast Giants in second place after a 3-1 home win over Manchester Storm on Sunday night.

The 1,759-strong crowd had to wait almost 40 minutes to see the deadlock broken. After an opening period with few good scoring chances, it took Peter Crinella to open the scoring with 91 seconds left in the second - Lewis Hook's nice deke got the Flames into the attacking zone, he fed Brett Ferguson who's shot on the net was eventually put home by Crinella at the top of the crease. 

A wonderful individual effort from Ryan Tait - winning the puck on the red line and turning on the jets down the wing before cutting in and beating Evan Weninger high - put the Flames two ahead 8:27 into the final period. Storm weren't out of it though, and after excellent hands form Mitchell Martin, Dallas Ehrhardt followed up on the loose puck and put it into the half-open net with 5:38 remaining. 

Manchester's chances of tying the game were dealt a blow with 56:10 on the clock. Loren Ulett objected to a hit on him by Steven McParland in the corner, but chased after the Flames forward and was ejected for Roughing for his troubles. Coach Matt Ginn made no secret of his disagreement, and when Tait shot into the empty net with three seconds left, Ginn was also told to leave the bench for his continued protests.