Three Wins in a Row for the Flames

Published on: 2 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 2 Jan, 2026

Guildford Flames secured back-to-back wins against league leaders Cardiff Devils and their third win in a row yesterday in Wales.

Taz Burman in goal was once again instrumental in their win making 42 saves, including 18 in the third period to preserve a lead, while Matt Alvaro scored a pair of goals to front the offensive charge during the 5-3 win..

Josh MacDonald gave the Devils a lead just 58 seconds in. A Josh Waller strike about two minutes later had it at a goal each and that is how the period closed.

Just 49 seconds into the middle set Alvaro put Flames in front. In the closing minutes of the frame, the visitors found themselves two skaters down for an extended penalty stretch. They managed get back to four skaters and nearly killed all of the time before MacDonald’s second of the contest foiled those plans and squared it again. However, Spectrum’s men replied quickly to take a lead at the break thanks to Jamal Watson at 38:41.

Flames netminder Taz Burman making 1 of 42 saves to back the win. Photo by Aled Hopkins.

A Flames’ powerplay to start the third period failed to convert, but not long after that, Alvaro’s second of the evening doubled the visitors’ margin. Inside the final eight minutes, Joey Martin cut Devils’ deficit to a single, but with time winding down and Ben Bowns having just vacated his goal in favour of an extra skater, Ethan Strang bagged a long range empty netter to close out the result.

Burman saw 45 shots while Bowns turned away 18 of 22.

“It is a big win.” said assistant coach Andy Hemmings, “Making it back-to-back against the league leaders and a good way to kick off the new year. With a couple more road games on the way hopefully we can follow up with similar success.”

The win keeps the Flames in seventh position in the Elite Ice Hockey League standings, level on points with Glasgow Clan and well above the point totals of the bottom three clubs.