Flames strike late for Giant win

Photo: John Uwins

Just under 1,900 fans packed into the Guildford Spectrum to see an excellent encounter between the Flames and Belfast Giants, with three goals inside the last 10 minutes giving the hosts a Pride Night win.

Brett Ferguson's mass from behind Tyler Beskorowany to Lewis Hook in front saw the Flames forward score against his former side again and open the scoring with 6:53 gone. Former Flame Daniel Tedesco set up Ben Lake for the equaliser at 10:36, and the teams would stay level into the break. 

Indeed, it took almost all of period two to separate the sides again. A quick passing play from the Flames saw them go through hall three zones before Ryan Hughes finished off from Ryan Tait's pass to put the home side ahead with 45 seconds left in the second period.

Belfast fought back again and were level thanks to Jeff Baum, who was given too much time and space in the slot to pick his spot past Eamon McAdam. 

The goal that turned out to be the game-winner was something special from Tait, who turned on the jets to skate from the neutral zone into the attacking before beating Beskorowany five-hole to put Guildford ahead with 8:29 remaining. Belfast pushed back and had McAdam sliding across the ice to stop them, but after Beskorowany was pulled and a spell of pressure in the Flames' zone, Steven McParland scored the empty-net goal with 55 seconds remaining to give the home side some breathing space. Adam Keefe pulled his goalie again after a timeout, only for Ferguson to find the empty net with 10 seconds left in the game.