BRACKNELL, UK – The Bees lost their grip on the final playoff spot despite a brave comeback against Guildford.
After a thumping defeat in Guildford on Saturday night Bracknell found themselves 6-1 down after two periods in the reverse fixture at The Hive on Sunday, but a late rally was in vain as the Flames picked up another win.
The Bees got off to a great start as they dominated the opening period. They finally broke the deadlock when Andrius Kaminskas ’ shot eventually found its way into the net after some good build-up play by Jaroslav Cesky.
Nicky Watt drops the gloves with Tom Duggan (Photo Chris Callaghan)
The visitors scored seven straight goals to turn the game on its head as Bracknell went into their shells. Bees netminder Carl Ambler will be disappointed but there was little he could do about any of Guildford’s second-period goals.
The Flames used quick passing and movement to expose the Bracknell defence and finished smartly with some good team moves and moments of individual skill.
Guilldford’s patient power play tied up the game when Jez Lundin smashed a one-timer past Ambler on a 4-on-3 advantage. Guildford wasted little time and took the lead on the resulting power play thanks to Adrian Saul .
The Flames had the lead and took control of the game when a brilliant solo effort by Martin Masa gave the visitors a 3-1 advantage. Another piece of individual skill by Rick Plant and another strike by Nathan Rempel added further misery to make it 5-1 as Bracknell’s hopes were all but over.
The Bees were given power play opportunities to try and find some momentum, but they couldn’t capitalise and Masa made the Bees pay as he made it 6-1.
Adam Marashi makes a great save in the third period (Photo Chris Callaghan)
Adam Marashi came out for the third period between the pipes for Bracknell and the whole Bees team are due a lot of credit for the way they responded in the third period. However, the hosts didn’t start the period as they would have liked as they slipped further behind. Quick passing by Guildford sent Marashi out of his crease and Saul scored in the empty net.
Bracknell were taking the fight to Guildford, releasing some frustration, and they were able to turn it into goals. Michal Pinc drew the netminder from his crease as he faked a shot before sending the puck to the top shelf.
Captain Tery Miles helped inspire a Bees revival (Photo Chris Callaghan)
The Bees upped the tempo but Guildford broke and Lukas Smital found the net to make it 8-2. Pinc grabbed his second goal on the power play a he sent a powerful shot past Dean Skinns . Ashley Calvert hit a rocket off a face-off into the net and moments later Terry Miles scrambled the puck home to make it 8-5 and gave the home fans something to cheer about.
Just as Bracknell though they could force overtime, a penalty on Pinc and misconduct gave Guildford a much-needed breather. Both sides were given cheap penalties by referee Nigel Boniface and Bracknell kept the pressure on as coach Claude Dumas arrived late at the back post to make it 8-6. The clock was against the home side and Guildford hung on to a 8-6 win.
The Bees showed a lot of heart and determination in the third period, but Swindon’s 2-1 win over Sheffield puts them above The Bees in the standings with two games remaining for each side.
Contact the author david.bol@prohockeynews.com
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