At least the ice hockey isn’t affected by the weather.
Flaming Guildford singe Wildcats.
Flames Fire An Overtime Winner.
Swindon Wildcats hosted the Guildford Flames, in a fixture that would see both sides eventually split in an ultimately deciding overtime period.
The beginning of the night opened well for the home side, but despite a five minute period dominated by Swindon, it would be the Flames would strike first through a Jozef Kohut one timed attempt.
Guildford netminder James Hadfield would perform well at the other end to deny Swindon throughout the first, before Wildcat import Jan Kostal levelled with a quick wristshot in front of goal.
However the Flames soon restored their lead late in the first as a 5 on 3 chance left Martin Opatovsky to spin and shoot the puck past Lyle in net for a second goal.
Minutes into the second and the home side then drew level once more, this time with Ryan Watt shooting from the face off, leaving line mate Henri Sandvik picking up a puck behind Hadfield and tapping in the equaliser.
From here both sides would trade goals in a matter of minute, making it a tied game as neither could be split. Firstly Flames forward David Longstaff would be seen to collect his first goal at the back post, before Sam Smith’s individual effort would find the top corner for a 3-3 score.
Midway point of the game and the Wildcats would then find their fourth as a break away from the Swedish Jonas Hoog left the import to fake Hadfield and score for the go ahead goal.
The game continued to hold goals well into the third and in the 45th minute a grounded shot from Nicky Watt would beat Lyle to tie the game.
Seconds later and four then became five as a cut in from Flames forward Dean Holland was finished low for a 5-4 game. A grinding game played out between the two but when a puck was shot on the away net, it took a redirect from the stick of Aaron Nell to bring his side level once again.
An eventual final buzzer drew overtime and despite being on the powerplay throughout, Swindon could do everything but find a game ending final goal.
Guildford would hold out to return to full strength and with a counter attack breaking out, the newly signed Nicky Watt would covert over the shoulder of Lyle and ultimately end the game with a winning goal.
A sixth goal for the travelling side meant a consequent end to the night’s action and a victory for the Flames this night. An overtime period meant a solid point was earned by the ‘Cats .
NEXT HOME GAME SUNDAY
Your Swindon Wildcats take to the ice this Sunday evening and kids can watch all the action for absolutely FREE!
With the opening puck dropping at 6pm, we want YOU, YOUR FRIENDS and YOUR FAMILY to descend on the Link Centre for an evening of fast flowing unrivalled entertainment that the WHOLE family will enjoy!
We’re hosting the Slough Jets in our penultimate Kids Go FREE game of the season, meaning that EVERYBODY who is aged 15 and under will be admitted to the game FREE OF CHARGE!
Final Score: Swindon Wildcats 5 – 6 Guildford Flames (AOT)
Man of the match: SWI – Smith / GUI – Savage
Copy: Scott Gummerson http://www.swindonwildcats.com/news/16/flames-blaze-an-overtime-winner.html#.UvPuDPZSY78
Gallery: