Flames dominate Blaze in shutout win

Photo: John Uwins

Guildford Flames got a much-needed Challenge Cup win, thrashing Coventry Blaze 6-0 in Surrey on Saturday night in their best performance of the season so far.

Guildford led through 20 minutes at the Spectrum but could have found themselves behind early – Jake Coughler taking a minor inside the opening 30 seconds that put his team short, although they saw out the Blaze powerplay. It was a powerplay for the Flames that opened the scoring at 4:05, chaos in front of Mat Robson but Travis Brown had the cool head to take his time before wristing into the half-open net. New Flames signing Jake Jacome showed early signs of his promise with an excellent interception as the Blaze broke on an odd-man rush later in the period.

The Flames were in control for the majority of the second period, and deservedly added two more to their tally. Daniel Tedesco set up Ryan Tait in front to fire past Mat Robson 96 seconds into things, while Matt Alvaro fired home in the slot at 27:27 to put the host side 3-0 ahead. The Blaze’s best chance of the period came on a breakaway but without troubling Eamon McAdam.

Goals 23 seconds apart at the start of the third wrapped up the game for the Flames, Matt Alvaro and Daniel Catenacci the scorers to put them 5-0 ahead by 43:04. The Blaze were their own worst enemies in the final period with multiple penalties, one of which led to Ryan Tait’s goal fromt close range at 45:58 – the Flames’ third on the powerplay in the game.

Eamon McAdam held on for a 27-shot shutout.