Flames come from two down to beat leaders

Guildford Flames came from 3-1 down to beat league leaders Sheffield Steelers, and reduce their lead at the top to just a point.

Marek Trončinský gave Sheffield the lead 2:19 into the game but Guildford, playing their third in as many nights, drew level just under two minutes later through Jamie Crooks.

A rocket from Nikolai Lemtyugov put the Steelers back ahead 4:32 into period two, and shortly before the halfway mark of the game Marc-Olivier Vallerand put the visitors two ahead. Guildford turned the game on its head with three goals in the space of five minutes – Jamie Crooks got it started on the powerplay at 32:13, with Braylon Shmyr pulling a great move to beat Duba at 34:32. KruiseReddick wristed home at 35:18 to complete the comeback.

Crooks completed his hat-trick 5:12 into the final period and although Ben O’Connor pulled the Steelers back to within one they would again leave the Spectrum empty-handed.

Photos: John Uwins