COVENTRY, 7 DECEMBER – The Guildford Flames beat the Coventry Blazes 4-3 in a heated Elite Ice Hockey league match at the Skydome Arena with a late goal from Cole Ully after referees had resort to a video check.
With only a minute left of the match, the home side, who were leading from the fifth minute, lost to a goal at the 59th minute from Canadian forward Ully, which gave the Flames the last push they needed to earn three points in the heated contest.
“That was a great effort by the guys to persevere and not quit and eventually get a win,” said Head Coach for the Flames Paul Dixon.
Only 51 seconds into the second period, Canadian Jack Jacome scored his fifth EIHL goal this season as Blaze goaltender Mat Robson struggled to keep it out, with Jacome pushing it across the line.
The Flames added another to the tally early in the second period thanks to a goal from MVP Jacome, who capitalised on a bizarre sequence and skillfully weaved around a surprised Robson, tucking the shot home from an unlikely position in an attempt to tie with the Coventry Blazes.
The home side began the game with strong intention, with new season signing William Boysen slotting the puck past Justin Fazio in the sixth minute, only to be followed up swiftly by fellow new signing Ivan Chukarov following suit, leading the Flames to call a time out straight after.
With the clock ticking down, the Guildford Flames secured the late equalizer at the 54th minute of the third period when forward Matthieu Gosselin found the back of the net, assisted by Ully and Jacome, successfully erasing the Blaze’s lead and tying the fiercely contested match at 3-3.
Dixon said, “It’s a 4 point weekend and a great way to get ready for next week’s double at Belfast.”
Blaze’s defenseman Jere Vertanen found himself alone in front of the net, and slipped a backhand shot past Fazio just five seconds into a five-on-three power play.
The Coventry Blaze were denied a goal at the seventeenth minute after referees initiated a review, confirming the puck did not entirely cross the goal line.
The Guildford Flames now find themselves in sixth place, and prepare for their double EIHL games away against Belfast on Friday and Saturday.
