Flames tie it late, win in OT
Photo: John Uwins
On an evening where Guildford retired head coach Paul Dixon's jersey, the Flames led multiple times, went behind late before tying the game, and then came out on top in overtime go get past Nottingham Panthers 5-4.
"The biggest thing is that we stuck with the process. We were down late, and it's a testament to our group. Sometimes it doesn't work out but today it did and these are some of the most fun games to win," said Jack Jacome, who tied the game late for the Flames. "I'm loving it here in Guildford, it's been awesome! It's definitely one of the more fun groups I've been a part of, and everyone has been so good to me."
Guildford started the more lively and were deservedly ahead inside seven minutes. The Panthers were turning the puck over in their own and neutral zones multiple times on the same shift, and were eventually punished when Lewis Hooked worked the puck to Brett Ferguson to finish high from a tight angle with 6:39 played.
Somewhat against the run of play, the Panthers were level when Kristoff Kontos went top shelf in the slot to beat Eamon McAdam at 10:53. Sam Jones scored for the second week running for his new team with another powerplay finish down low to restore the home side's lead at 16:38, although giving the puck away in his own end almost led to a Panthers equaliser on the very next shift.
Nottingham were level through 40 minutes thanks to the only goal of period two. Sam Herr was slashed on a breakaway resulting in a penalty shot that was expertly dispatched by Mitchell Fossier at 30:39 to level the scores. Guildford seemed to have more live after conceding, but found Ryan Bednard in fine form at the other end to keep them out.
On a powerplay that carried over from the second into the third, the Flames went ahead again off an excellent Daniel Tedesco shot that sailed past Bednard 26 seconds into the period.
Ollie Betteridge tied the game just over eight minutes later in close on a play that was reviewed after Eamon McAdam knocked the net off - but only on the play leading immediately to the goal, and so it was awarded.
With Logan Neilson sitting for hooking the Flames looked to take the lead again - however, Sam Herr had other ideas and raced through down the ice to beat McAdam and put the Panthers ahead shorthanded with 6:38 to play - their first lead of the night. With 4:02 remaining, Jack Jacome beautifully stepped into his shot on an odd-man rush to tie the game.
The Flames could have won it with the final shot of the game, only for an excellent sprawling save from Bednard keeping the puck out.
In overtime, the Flames had the better of the chances and finally it was Tedesco who fired home to earn them the bonus point.
