Flames Unhooked in Stormy Cup Defeat

Published on: 28 Sep, 2026
Updated on: 28 Sep, 2026

A trip to Manchester Storm put a stop to the Flames three-game winning streak with the hosts spending excessive stretches on the powerplay, including a couple of five on threes, then working through a furious comeback effort as part of their 4-3 win over the visitors from Surrey.

A late first period strike by Tim MacGauley had Storm in front through the opening set.  Three minor penalties in a little over two minutes across the end of the first period and start of the second had Flames down a couple of men for an extended period.

They managed to get through it just a goal off the pace, but Drydn Dow and, former Flames player, Lewis Hook scoring at 30 minutes and 36:40 respectively, had the home team in command.

Another long five on three Storm powerplay for the last couple minutes offered a chance to blow the game open, but a successful kill kept Flames within three to kick off the final frame.

Cole Sanford put Flames on the board shortly after re-start.  Mathieu Gosselin cut the deficit further less than two minutes after that. He pulled Flames fully level at 47:35, but just 20 seconds later Hook’s second of the contest survived a high sticking video review and completed the win for the home side.

Hook was a Flames’ player last season but asked to be released from his contract to join Storm. The Guildford club must now be rueing his departure.

Desperate defending by Guildford Flames with netminder Brad Arvanitis. Mathew Paul Collier

Brad Arvanitis turned away 29 of 33 shots for Flames while Evan Weninger was 24 for 27 in the Storm crease.

“Tough first period for us and we were certainly slow that period, but maybe fortunate to be only one goal down after that,” said Paul Dixon.

“We had a lot of penalty trouble in the second and made a good attempt in the third getting back to level, and we were very good across that stretch, but overall Manchester had a great game and they were full credit for the win.”

Match Stats by Don Starr

Share This Post