Three in third gives Flames win

Photo: John Uwins

Three goals in the third period helped Guildford Flames to a win in their opening League fixture of the 2024/25 season, beating Fife Flyers 4-1 on Sunday night.

Less than five minutes into the game, the Flames thought theyd taken the lead - however, Tom Coolen challenged the goal for goalie interference and the officials agreed with him. The goal was wiped off, and Paul Dixon was left wondering when a video review will go in his favour this season.

The Flames did take the lead later in the period, though, when Charlie Dodero wound up a slap shot from the point and Ryan Tait was on hand to put home the rebound at 16:58. 

Fife tied the game 9:17 into period two when the Flames failed to clear their zone, Lucas Chiodo won the puck and set up Michael Cichy for a back-post tap-in that crept under Jake Kupsky and over the line. The goal sparked the Flyers into life, so much so that Dixon needed to call a timeout some three minutes later to steady his team.

All tied going into period three, it was two goals in five minutes that turned things back in the Flames favour. Kyle Locke's throw towards the net seemed to be drifting some way wide until Jake Coughler got his stick on the end of it to put the puck past Shane Owen and get the Flames ahead at 43:54. After killing off a penalty, the Flames then moved 3-1 ahead thanks to new signing Jack Jacome who got to a loose puck quickest to beat Owen. 

Coolen gambled on pulling Owen with 2:26 to play, but just 11 seconds later Ethan Stang was slotting into the empty net to seal the points for the Flames.