Sam Marklund and Brett Ferguson each scored twice and Ryan Tait had a last minute powerplay marker that broke up a 4-4 tie to secure a 5-4 home ice win over Glasgow Clan.
Brett Ferguson kicked off a 5 goal combined first period when he started it at 4:52 on a powerplay, but Kevin Massy levelled at 7:23. Less than a minute later Sam Marklund put Flames back on top and Ferguson’s 2nd 47 seconds after that made it a 2 goal spread. However, a late reply from Brad Kennedy had Clan just a goal off the pace at the break despite the home team holding a 16-6 shot advantage.
Just over 3 minutes into the 2nd, Mitch Jones pulled Clan even. John Dunbar on a powerplay at 32:12 put them in their first lead, but Marklund’s 2nd only 37 seconds later ensured the teams would take to the ice at 4 each for a winner take all 3rd.
Just under 2 minutes from overtime, a Clan penalty opened a door the Flames ran through when Tait netted the decider 55 seconds from close.
Taz Burman had 17 saves on 21 shots while Ty Taylor was 39 of 43.
“It was a relief to get a win in regulation, because we should have had things tied up long before we were looking at going to tiebreakers,” explained Paul Dixon.
“Early on in the game, we had a load of chances that we did not put away and then in the 3rd we were sort of going along that path again, but finally Ryan was able to make one count and avoid the risk of playing in overtime or penalties to fight for a game I think we definitely deserved to win.”
“The guys just kept pushing as time wound down and perseverance won the day for them so we will bank the points and now focus on a massive head to head at Sheffield tomorrow night.”
