2015–16 Guildford Flames season

During the 2015–16 season, the Guildford Flames participated in the semi-professional English Premier Ice Hockey League. It was the 24th year of ice hockey played by the Guildford Flames and the ninth season under Paul Dixon as head coach. The club would secure the 2015–2016 'Double' with the capture of the Cup and Playoff title.

2015–16 Guildford Flames
League3rd EPIHL
2015–16 record34-15
Home record24-4
Road record10-11
Goals for204
Goals against170
Team information
General managerPaul Dixon
CoachPaul Dixon
ArenaGuildford Spectrum

After a disappointing 2014–15 season, the Flames were quick to make changes, with the club releasing Neil Liddiard,[1] David Longstaff,[2] and David Savage[3] just days after the season had ended.

Further announcements were made during the off-season with the departure of Branislav Kvetan[4] and fellow imports – Jozef Kohut, Roman Tvrdon and Vladimir Kutny.[5]

It was announced towards the end of April 2015, that after indicating his intention to remain at the Spectrum for the forthcoming season, netminder James Hadfield, opted instead to sign with Milton Keynes Lightning. Talking about the decision Head Coach Paul Dixon said: "I spoke with James after the season, and as far as those conversations went he was returning to the club so we had plans for him in the roster, and were in the process of getting formal items in place for that to happen. Somewhere along the way he went a different route, and he informed us once something else was in place. It is a disappointing turn of events, but we will immediately move on and begin the replacement search."[6]

Joining the club roster for the 2015–16 season was Slovenian forward Matic Kralj from Kazakhstan outfit Beibarys Atyrau.[7] He was joined at the club by the Swedish forward Jens Eriksson.[8] The two had played together previously in their career when they were both at the French club Ours de Villard-de-Lans. Other new additions to the team were defenceman Kevin Phillips, veteran goaltender Stephen Wall, Slovak centre iceman Erik Piatak, Callum Best and Rupert Quiney.

The 2015–16 season was the first time in more than a decade that the Flames would wear a 3rd jersey. The alternate uniform debuted in the home victory over the Hull Pirates on Sunday, 13 September 2015 and made its final appearance against the Basingstoke Bison on Sunday, 8 November 2015.[9]

Prior to the first exhibition home game of the season the supporters club held their annual pre season meet the team afternoon at Burchatts Farm Barn on Sunday, 6 September 2015 from 12 am – 2:00 pm.[10]

It was announced in October that the Flames had added forward Andrew Melachrino to the roster. The Guildford-born skater spent his entire junior career at the club and iced 49 times with the senior side between 2009 and 2011 when he split time at Jr. and Snr. level. He spent most of his senior career at the Basingstoke Bison.[11]

On Friday 27 November 2015 the club announced the signing of forward Lee Esders to the roster from Braehead Clan.[12] Wednesday 15 December 2015 saw the club announce the arrival of Latvian forward Janis Ozolins from HK Mogo.[13]

Moments after a 2–1 road win at Bracknell on 10 January, the club announced on their website, that they had made a goaltending change with the release of Stephen Wall and the signing of Richard Ullberg.[14]

On 12 January the Flames announced that they had released Slovakian centre iceman Erik Piatak. The 29-year-old had 14 goals and 14 assists in 28 games with the club.[15] |}

Roster
#PlayerPositionHeightWeightDate of BirthNationalityPrevious Team
7Kevin PhillipsD5'11"180 lbs5 January 1986BritishBelfast Giants
12Matic KraljF6'1"200 lbs15 January 1983SlovenianBeibarys Atyrau
16Andrew HemmingsF5'10"185 lbs15 August 1988BritishBasingstoke Bison
18Danny MeyersD6'3"205 lbs2 March 1983BritishSheffield Steelers
19Tom DugganF5'10"185 lbs17 May 1990BritishManchester Phoenix
22Paul DixonD5'10"185 lbs4 August 1973BritishNewcastle Riverkings
28Marcus KristofferssonF6'2"205 lbs22 January 1979SwedishMulhouse
37Roman TvrdonF5'11"200 lbs29 January 1981SlovakianUnia Oswiecim
44Rupert QuineyD6'4"225 lbs30 May 1990BritishTelford Tigers
45Gregg RockmanG5'10"170 lbs24 May 1982BritishSlough Jets
48Ben CampbellF5'10"170 lbs16 May 1987BritishNewcastle Vipers
51Erik PiatakF6'1"205 lbs6 March 1986SlovakianGornyak Rudny
61Sam GodfreyD6'0"190 lbs2 February 1994BritishSwindon Wildcats
74Matt ToweF5'10"180 lbs7 January 1988BritishBraehead Clan
82Jez LundinD6'1"200 lbs9 February 1988USA-BritishNewcastle Vipers
88Callum BestF5'10"180 lbs16 January 1992BritishStreatham Redskins
90Jens ErikssonF5'10"194 lbs22 August 1984SwedishLHC Les Lions
91Andy McKinneyF6'0"190 lbs13 April 1991Canadian-BritishManchester Phoenix
93Stephen WallG6'2"205 lbs2 December 1981BritishMilton Keynes Lightning

Standings

English Premier League
Team Pld. W OL L GF GA Pts.
Basingstoke Bison **544021220712282
Peterborough Phantoms *543581121514078
Guildford Flames *543451520417073
Telford Tigers *543411922115269
Milton Keynes Lightning *543251719715069
Swindon Wildcats *543051919519565
Sheffield Steeldogs *542452519723353
Manchester Phoenix *542082617021648
Hull Pirates541153813427727
Bracknell Bees541044015323824

[**] EPIHL League Champions. [*] Secured play-off berth

Schedule and results

Pre-season
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorer(s)
Saturday 5 September 2015Basingstoke BisonAwayLost 5–2894Kevin Phillips, Matt Towe
Sunday 6 September 2015Basingstoke BisonHomeLost 6–41,764Marcus Kristoffersson, Jez Lundin, Erik Piatak, Andy McKinney

Regular season
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionGoalscorers
Saturday 12 September 2015Basingstoke BisonAwayLost 3–2 (OT)1,126League/CupJens Eriksson, Kevin Phillips
Sunday 13 September 2015Hull PiratesHomeWon 5–11,562League/CupMatt Towe (2), Andy McKinney, Tom Duggan, Erik Piatak
Saturday 19 September 2015Peterborough PhantomsHomeWon 3–21,708League/CupMarcus Kristoffersson (2), Erik Piatak
Sunday 20 September 2015Manchester PhoenixAwayLost 3–1-League/CupErik Piatak
Saturday 26 September 2015Sheffield SteeldogsAwayWon 5–4 (OT)413League/CupJens Eriksson (2), Andy McKinney (2), Danny Meyers
Sunday 27 September 2015Swindon WildcatsHomeWon 6–01,507League/CupMarcus Kristoffersson (2), Erik Piatak, Matic Kralj, Tom Duggan, Matt Towe
Sunday 4 October 2015Milton Keynes LightningHomeWon 4–11,717League/CupMarcus Kristoffersson (2), Jens Eriksson, Matt Towe
Saturday 10 October 2015Telford TigersHomeWon 2–11,623League/CupMatic Kralj, Marcus Kristoffersson
Sunday 11 October 2015Bracknell BeesAwayLost 4–3-League/CupMatic Kralj, Kevin Phillips, Danny Meyers
Friday 16 October 2015Basingstoke BisonAwayLost 5–3-LeagueMatic Kralj (2), Erik Piatak
Saturday 17 October 2015Manchester PhoenixHomeWon 5–4 (PSO)1,523League/CupTom Duggan (2), Jez Lundin, Jens Eriksson, Ben Campbell
Sunday 18 October 2015Hull PiratesAwayWon 4–3 (PSO)-League/CupTom Duggan (2), Jens Eriksson, Matic Kralj
Saturday 24 October 2015Swindon WildcatsAwayLost 7–4-League/CupJens Eriksson (2), Matt Towe, Kevin Phillips
Sunday 25 October 2015Sheffield SteeldogsHomeLost 5–21,804League/CupAndrew Melachrino, Jens Eriksson
Wednesday 28 October 2015Bracknell BeesHomeWon 3–22,046League/CupMatt Towe, Matic Kralj, Jens Eriksson
Sunday 1 November 2015Peterborough PhantomsAwayLost 5–1-League/CupKevin Phillips
Saturday 7 November 2015Milton Keynes LightningAwayWon 4–2-League/CupKevin Phillips, Danny Meyers, Matic Kralj, Andrew Melachrino
Sunday 8 November 2015Basingstoke BisonHomeWon 8–41,836League/CupKevin Phillips, Marcus Kristoffersson, Matt Towe, Andy McKinney, Jens Eriksson, Tom Duggan, Erik Piatak, Matic Kralj
Saturday 14 November 2015Milton Keynes LightningAwayWon 3–2 (OT)-LeagueErik Piatak, Matic Kralj, Jens Eriksson
Sunday 15 November 2015Telford TigersAwayLost 4–1-League/CupMarcus Kristoffersson
Saturday 21 November 2015Hull PiratesHomeWon 3–21,891LeagueAndy McKinney, Matt Towe, Jens Eriksson
Saturday 28 November 2015Sheffield SteeldogsAwayLost 4–1397LeagueJens Eriksson
Sunday 29 November 2015Milton Keynes LightningHomeLost 4–01,521League-
Saturday 5 December 2015Peterborough PhantomsHomeLost 7–41,433LeagueErik Piatak (3), Lee Esders
Sunday 6 December 2015Telford TigersAwayWon 7–2-LeagueErik Piatak (3), Kevin Phillips, Matic Kralj, Jens Eriksson, Tom Duggan
Saturday 12 December 2015Hull PiratesAwayWon 4–3-LeagueJez Lundin (2), Erik Piatak, Jens Eriksson
Saturday 19 December 2015Peterborough PhantomsAwayLost 6–2-LeagueMatic Kralj, Andy McKinney
Sunday 20 December 2015Sheffield SteeldogsHomeWon 6–31,940LeagueBen Campbell (2), Danny Meyers, Janis Ozolins, Lee Esders, Marcus Kristoffersson
Saturday 26 December 2015Bracknell BeesAwayWon 5–2-LeagueJanis Ozolins (3), Jez Lundin, Danny Meyers
Monday 28 December 2015Basingstoke BisonHomeLost 5–4 (OT)2,011LeagueMatic Kralj (2), Janis Ozolins, Matt Towe
Friday 1 January 2016Bracknell BeesHomeWon 7–31,943LeagueMatic Kralj, Janis Ozolins, Kevin Phillips, Lee Esders, Jez Lundin, Danny Meyers, Jens Eriksson
Sunday 3 January 2016Swindon WildcatsHomeWon 4–3 (OT)1,835LeagueKevin Phillips, Tom Duggan, Janis Ozolins, Matic Kralj
Saturday 9 January 2016Telford TigersHomeWon 3–11,563LeagueJens Eriksson, Lee Esders, Tom Duggan
Sunday 10 January 2016Bracknell BeesAwayWon 2–1-LeagueJez Lundin, Jens Eriksson
Saturday 16 January 2016Milton Keynes LightningAwayLost 3–2-LeagueTom Duggan (2)
Sunday 17 January 2016Milton Keynes LightningHomeLost 3–21,611LeagueJez Lundin, Janis Ozolins
Wednesday 20 January 2016Basingstoke BisonAwayWon 1–0813Cup Semi-final, First LegMatt Towe
Saturday 23 January 2016Manchester PhoenixHomeWon 4–3 (OT)1,771LeagueMarcus Kristoffesson (2), Ben Campbell, Jez Lundin
Sunday 24 January 2016Sheffield SteeldogsAwayLost 5–4 (OT)466LeagueBen Campbell, Matt Towe, Sam Godfrey, Tom Duggan
Wednesday 27 January 2016Basingstoke BisonHomeWon 4–3 (Guildford win 5–3 on agg)1,903Cup Semi-final, Second LegJez Lundin, Tom Duggan, Kevin Phillips, Matt Towe
Saturday 30 January 2016Telford TigersHomeWon 4–3 (PSO)1,750LeagueTom Duggan (2), Jens Eriksson, (Matic Kralj and Janis Ozolins scored in the 2-0 shoot-out success)
Sunday 31 January 2016Peterborough PhantomsAwayWon 4–3 (OT)-LeagueJens Eriksson, Andy McKinney, Janis Ozolins, Ben Campbell
Saturday 6 February 2016Swindon WildcatsAwayWon 4–2-LeagueJanis Ozolins, Andy McKinney, Andrew Melachrino, Jens Eriksson
Saturday 13 February 2016Basingstoke BisonHomeWon 4–01,968LeagueTom Duggan, Janis Ozolins, Lee Esders, Ben Campbell
Sunday 14 February 2016Manchester PhoenixAwayWon 6–2-LeagueJanis Ozolins (2), Andy McKinney (2), Jez Lundin, Tom Duggan
Wednesday 17 February 2016Bracknell BeesHomeWon 4–02,023LeagueMarcus Kristoffersson (2), Matt Towe, Jens Eriksson
Saturday 20 February 2016Hull PiratesAwayWon 5–2-LeagueMarcus Kristoffersson (2), Jens Eriksson, Janis Ozolins, Lee Esders
Sunday 21 February 2016Swindon WildcatsHomeWon 6–31,545LeagueJanis Ozolins (2), Ben Campbell, Tom Duggan, Andrew Hemmings, Jens Eriksson
Saturday 27 February 2016Sheffield SteeldogsHomeWon 6–52,012LeagueBen Campbell (3), Danny Meyers, Jez Lundin, Lee Esders
Sunday 28 February 2016Telford TigersAwayLost 7–3-LeagueTom Duggan, Ben Campbell, Danny Meyers
Wednesday 2 March 2016Peterborough PhantomsHomeWon 9–11,756Cup Final, First LegMarcus Kristoffersson (2), Janis Ozolins (2), Tom Duggan (2), Jez Lundin, Ben Campbell, Jens Eriksson
Thursday 3 March 2016Peterborough PhantomsAwayLost 5–3 (Guildford win 12–6 on aggregate)-Cup Final, Second LegJens Eriksson (2), Marcus Kristoffersson
Saturday 5 March 2016Swindon WildcatsAwayLost 3–2 (OT)-LeagueJez Lundin, Jens Eriksson
Sunday 6 March 2016Hull PiratesHomeWon 6–31,753LeagueJens Eriksson, Andy McKinney, Janis Ozolins, Jez Lundin, Tom Duggan, Matt Towe
Saturday 12 March 2016Manchester PhoenixHomeWon 6–21,796LeagueMarcus Kristofferson, Matic Kralj, Andrew Hemmings, Ben Campbell, Andy McKinney, Lee Esders
Sunday 13 March 2016Manchester PhoenixAwayLost 5–4 (OT)-LeagueBen Campbell, Andrew Hemmings, Jez Lundin, Sam Godfrey
Saturday 19 March 2016Peterborough PhantomsHomeWon 6–5 (OT)1,810LeagueBen Campbell (3), Tom Duggan (2), Andy McKinney
Sunday 20 March 2016Basingstoke BisonAwayLost 3–11,350LeagueMatt Towe

Playoffs

Guildford advanced to the play-off final weekend in Coventry after overturning a 2–1 deficit from the first leg to defeat Swindon Wildcats 2-0 in the second leg (3-2 on aggregate) of the quarter-final, thanks to two goals from Danny Meyers and a shut out from Richard Ullberg in front of a sold out Spectrum crowd.

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionGoalscorers
Saturday 26 March 2016Swindon WildcatsAwayLost 2–1-Quarter-final, First LegJanis Ozolins
Sunday 27 March 2016Swindon WildcatsHomeWon 2–0 (Guildford win 3–2 on agg)2,014Quarter-final, Second LegDanny Meyers (2)
Saturday 2 April 2016Peterborough PhantomsSkyDome ArenaWon 4–12,450Semi-finalTom Duggan, Janis Ozolins, Ben Campbell, Andy McKinney
Sunday 3 April 2016Milton Keynes LightningSkyDome ArenaWon 6–22,450FinalKevin Phillips, Matic Kralj, Janis Ozolins, Danny Meyers, Andrew Hemmings, Ben Campbell

References
  1. "Liddiard's Flames Career Complete After 12 Seasons". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  2. "Longstaff Departs Flames". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  3. "Savage Not Re-Joining Flames". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  4. "Kvetan Latest Change For 2015–2016 Roster". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  5. "Kohut's Flames Career Closes". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  6. "Hadfield Goes Elsewhere". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  7. "Kralj agrees 2nd season". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  8. "Jens Eriksson". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  9. "Flames to Wear 3rd Shirt". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  10. "Supporters Pre-Season Meet The Team". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  11. "Melachrino resumes role with Flames". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  12. "Flames Sign Esders". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  13. "Ozolins Joins Flames". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  14. "Flames Release Wall; Add Ullberg". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  15. "Piatak Released". GuildfordFlames.com. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
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