01 Jan 2025, 16:00 | Regular season | Guildford Spectrum |
Guildford Flames | 5-3 | Cardiff Devils |
Periods: Shots: | 1-0 (9-12) | 2-2 (19-11) | 2-1 (6-18) | Total: 34-41 |
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Referees: #11 Matt Rose, #52 Stephen Matthews  |  Spectators: 1959 |
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Goals and assists
A sold-out Guildford Spectrum saw late drama as the Flames beat league leaders Cardiff Devils 5-3 on New Year’s Day.
“It was awesome with a sell-out crowd!" said Flames captain Brett
Ferguson post-game. "Last night in Cardiff we didn’t show up how we
wanted to so our aim was to come back in here and take two points off
them. It was a great atmosphere and I’m glad we got the two points.”
After
a slightly delayed start, the opening phases of the game were cagey as
both teams managed short benches for their second meeting inside 24
hours. The Devils came closest to scoring with a shot that rebounded
into the crease only for Jake Kupsky to get a pad on too of the loose
puck.
“Any time you get good goaltending, you give yourself a chance to
win. Jake (Kupsky) was great tonight, most of the time our goalies are
giving us that chance to win, but it’s huge to have that confidence to
play knowing your goalie can bail you out” said the Flames captain of
his goalie.
A similar play led to the Flames opening the scoring – Charlie
Curti’s’ shot from the point hit the glass behind Mac Carruth’s net but
bounced back and deflected off the Devils’ goalie and over the line with
ten seconds left in the period.
After Ryan Tait had missed the target on a breakaway, Josh
MacDonald levelled 5:56 into period two with a snap shot off a Joey
Martin feed after the Devils turned won puck back in the offensive zone.
A pair of goals in just over three minutes looked to have swung
things the Flames’ way. Josh Waller threw the puck on net from the wing
and saw it get tangled in Carruth’s pads and bounce over the line at
35:34. Curti then fired another one in from the point to make it 3-1 at
38:38, but MacDonald hit back 22 seconds later to make it a one-goal
game heading into the third.
Brett Perlini tied the game 67 seconds into period three, and the
Devils then had two powerplay opportunities to take the lead but could
capitalise on either.
With Kohen Olischefski in the box for tripping, the Flames went
back ahead in unusual fashion as a looping puck bounced off Jack Jacome
and into Carruth's net at 54:42. An excellent pass from Daniel Tedesco
found Brett Welychka in front to make it 5-3 less than two minutes later
to give the Flames a cushion. Carruth was pulled at 58:39 but the
Devils weren't able to fashion any Grade A chances on Kupsky's net and
the home side held on for the two points.
“We’re proud of the win tonight but would have liked to have
played better in Cardiff and in Manchester, too. But it’s all about your
next game,” added Ferguson. “We’re playing in Sheffield in a few days,
so it’s about focusing on that game. There’s still a chance for a lot of
teams to get to the top of the league, so we just have to keep picking
up wins and getting better and better.”