The Guildford Flames will travel to the Skydome Arena on Wednesday [22 March] with a clear objective – beat the Coventry Blaze to keep their title hopes alive in the Elite League. While the tasking facing Paul Dixon’s squad is easily identified, it will be difficult to complete.
The Blaze are in fine form under Danny Stewart and enter the final weeks of the regular-season under relatively little pressure. Coventry punched their ticket to the playoffs weeks ago and are virtually locked into fifth place in the standings.
The Flames, by contrast, are in must-win territory. Guildford sit four points behind the Belfast Giants in the title race – albeit with a game in hand – as we enter the final fortnight of the season. Effectively, they need to be perfect from here on out.
As the Blaze face off against the Flames in a crucial Elite League encounter, there are several players to keep an eye on. In this article, we’ll pick out three must-watch skaters who could have a major impact on the outcome of the game.
Guildford Flames .vs. Coventry Blaze: Three Must-Watch Players
1. Coventry Blaze Forward Johnny Curran
Johnny Curran has always been an impressive player, but he has taken another step in his career this year.
The Niagara Falls-born forward has produced offence at a point-per-game rate this term (23 goals, 27 assists) and is a livewire influence at five-on-five and the powerplay.
Curran, a recent debutant with Team GB, boasts an impressive turn of pace – relative to the Elite League – and can make netminders look silly with his quick release.
Johnny Curran, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
The 28-year-old has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his last six appearances for the Blaze and marked his last appearance against the Flames with a pair of assists.
Curran – as expected – remains a player to watch for Coventry.
2. Guildford Flames Forward Daniel Tedesco
Daniel Tedesco is a serious contender for the player of the year award, with 76 points (30 goals, 46 assists) in 49 appearances for the upstart Flames.
While the Canada-born Italian international is responsible in his own end, he is at his best with the puck on his stick.
Tedesco is currently on an 11-game point streak, with nine points (three goals, six assists) in his last five appearances.
Daniel Todesco, Guildford Flames (Image: Doriano Brunel)
When asked about the success of his newly-assembled top-six, Dixon said: “It’s up to them. We put them on a platform with big minutes and power play time but they have to deliver those numbers. All we do is provide them with the opportunity: it doesn’t happen for them guys sometimes, but other times they come in and you benefit from guys who overachieve.”
Tedesco clearly falls into the overachiever category and will make an impact for Guildford against Coventry.
3. Guildford Flames Defenceman Ben O’Connor
Ben O’Connor may not be as fleetfooted as he was in his junior years, but his experience and ability to read the game make him a vital component of the Flames’ defence.
The Team GB defenceman is a savvy operator and has played a key role in Guildford’s success this season, contributing 45 points (10 goals, 35 assists) in 49 games.
Ben O’Connor, Guildford Flames (Image: Dean Woolley)
At 34 years old, O’Connor brings a wealth of experience to the table. His veteran presence on the ice provides a calming influence on his teammates, while his ability to anticipate plays and position himself well make him a formidable opponent for any team.
O’Connor’s experience will be crucial for Guildford against Coventry.
The Blaze have a talented roster with several speedy forwards who can cause problems for opposing teams, which makes the Durham-born defender’s street smarts all the more valuable.
