Agonising defeat as Flames hit a late winner

GUILDFORD FLAMES ......... 3 PHANTOMS ........................ 2

PHANTOMS’ play-off hopes were left hanging by a thread after a late goal from Milos Melicherik in Guildford last night.

Melicherik struck with less than two minutes left to consign the city side to an agonising defeat after a brave performance at the Spectrum.

A late powerplay goal from player/coach Chris Allen tied the game at 2-2 to give his side hope of taking the game into overtime and a shot at snatching two vital points in the battle for the final play-off spot.

But a late surge from the Flames saw the league leaders snatch the points at the death.

Allen said: “I am really disappointed as we had been attacking and looked like getting the win in the final minutes but they got a breakaway and that’s that.

“It is tough but I cannot fault any of the guys for their effort and I think over the weeked we can count ourselves unlucky.

“We know it is going to be tough to qualify as Bracknell won both their games and we need to make up four points on them to get to the play-offs now.

“But if we keep playing like we did this weekend then we have a chance to do it.”

After a goalless first period the home side took the lead in the 26th minute through Jozef Kohut but Phantoms quickly levelled when Ondrej Lauko jumped on James Ferrara’s pass to send his shot past Flames netminder Mark Lee.

Early in the final act Rick Plant restored the home side’s advantage but when Allen scored to haul his side level with just over three minutes left, it seemed Phantoms would force overtime or even nick a late win.

But Flames broke out with Nathan Rempel trading passes with Kohut before feeding Melicherik for the killer goal.