Glasgow’s Braehead Clan fought back in the final minutes, but came up short as they went down 8-5 to league new boys Guildford Flames.
With a home game next on the calendar for the Clan, they wanted to end the four-week road trip with victory, but it wasn’t to be despite a late Brendan Brooks hat-trick.
Former Dundee Stars forward Mikael Lidhammar got the opener for the Flames, set up by Tomas Nechala and the home side were in front.
The Clan hit back minutes later as Matt Haywood got on the board with an unassisted effort to pull John Tripp’s side level.
Parity lasted only a minute as the Flames restored their lead, with Rhett Rachinski the man to get it as they led after the opening 20 minutes.
Braehead hit back again through Tyler Shattock a couple of minutes into the middle session to equalise and make the game that little more interesting.
However Carl Ackered was on hand to put the league new boys ahead once more as the Flames edged in front once again.
It got even better for Paul Dixon’s men when Rachinski scored a second early in the third period, his third point of the night.
Then Brett Ferguson made it even better for Guildford, scoring a fifth almost immediately after and compounding a disappointing night for the Clan.
Ackered also got a second with an unassisted effort, making the scoreline that little more one-sided before Ben Davies added a seventh against his former team.
Brooks scored a treble to offer a glimmer of hope for the Purple Army that made the journey to Surrey, but John Dunbar’s empty net goal secured the win for Guildford.
