GUILDFORD, 26 OCT – Guildford Flames faced last year’s Elite Ice Hockey League champions, Belfast Giants at the Guilford Spectrum on Sunday evening, with Canadian forward Jack Jacome netting a powerful shot in the third period to beat the Giants 2-1, for the first time in two years.
The fast-paced first period saw the Flames and Giants remain locked in a scoreless draw at the Spectrum, with Giants netminder Alexis Gravel denying a close-range shot at the four-minute mark and Flames’ Justin Fazio making a crucial save in the dying seconds.
Former Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick J.J. Piccinich tapped the puck past Fazio in the 22nd minute, following a rebound in a fast-moving second period, giving Belfast Giants the lead.
Besides Fazio’s game saving moments, stopping 46/47 shots, Andrew Hemmings, Assistant Coach of the Guildford Flames, said that the power play moment in the second period was “the difference in getting the win.”
The Giants lead was short-lived, with the Flames winning a power play goal in the 28th minute to level the teams, after Canadian forward Mathieu Gosselin powerfully slotted the puck beside goaltender Gravel despite pressure from the Giants.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the 55th minute, as the Flames took a 2-1 lead with Jacome netting a clinical shot into the top of the net, after which Fazio was forced to save a low attempt by Nixon at the 57th minute while a potential chance for former Giant Lewis Hook was nullified by an icing call only a minute later.
Ryan Smith showcased fantastic work on the ice but could not execute the final touch in the 26th minute, immediately followed by a penalty call against Belfast for a trip, sending Brandon Whistle to the box.
After a loss at Sheffield the previous day, Hemmings saw a difference in play amongst his team tonight.
“We had a good chance at Sheffield to make a powerplay make a difference and failed,” said Hemmings. “The guys did a great job tonight to make the most of some key opportunities with an extra skater.”
The frantic final minute saw a final Giants bid to equalise, that was saved by the consistent Fazio, who was ultimately named the Man of the Match.
This win for the Flames moves them to sixth with six points, and the Giants drop to fifth, with both teams heading to their next league matches against Sheffield and Cardiff on Wednesday.
