Bittersweet victory for the Flames

---

Trailing 4-2 heading into leg 2 of the Cup quarter final against Nottingham Panthers, the clubs were knotted at a pair each in the final 90 seconds, forcing Flames to pull their netminder for an extra skater to challenge the aggregate count and used a Jake Bolton goal 45 seconds from time to take a 3-2 win on the evening, but not enough to secure advancement to the next round with the 5-6 aggregate final.

Flames went in front at 13:30 through Owen Griffiths, but less than a minute later Panthers were also on the board thanks to JC Brassard. Despite a 17-5 Flames shot advantage the period closed on the 1-1 scoreline and Panthers ahead 5-3 on aggregate.

In the middle frame, Flames again had the shot count in their favour at 9-2 but 20 minutes came and went with nobody lighting a lamp and the final period would begin with the teams still on a goal each.

At 52:34 Jeremy Welsh put Panthers up a goal on the night, but a reply by Jordan Cownie 42 seconds after that had Flames back on even terms, before they added the last minute Bolton goal to take the game but not the series. Flames completed the evening with a 40-16 shot advantage.

“Ultimately our goal was advancement to the next round,” explained Paul Dixon, “but we have to celebrate winning this hockey game despite not moving to the semis.”

“We worked hard, as we always do, we got in on the forecheck, and we had the puck a lot and had some good chances, and also did a good job in our own end of closing down a lot of lanes to limit Panthers. Luckily just enough went in tonight to help get us a much needed win, and we will get back to work tomorrow to try and build on this going forward as we head to Fife Saturday before home against Belfast Giants Sunday.”

Courtesy of the Guildford Flames