Fife Flyers claimed a hard-fought 4-3 victory at the Guildford Spectrum on Saturday evening, handing the Flames a defeat that will sting despite a remarkable individual effort from Mathieu Gosselin, who scored all three of Guildford's goals in a one-man comeback that ultimately fell just short.

The Flyers led 2-0 after the first period and never truly relinquished control, even as Gosselin dragged his side back into it twice. When Guildford pulled their goalkeeper in the final two minutes in search of an equaliser, it wasn't to be. Fife saw it out.

Flyers fly out of the blocks

Guildford had no answer in the opening period. Logan Neilson put the Flyers ahead at 6:40, finishing from Josh Winquist and Ryan Nicholson's build-up, and Ethan Somoza doubled the lead at 12:26 — though not before a video review was needed to confirm the puck had crossed the line. The referees checked, the goal stood, and Guildford's Jamal Watson was simultaneously penalised for holding at the same stoppage. It was a bruising few seconds for the home side.

Fife's Winquist had been penalised for slashing just minutes earlier, but it was Guildford who went into the first break two goals down and needing a response.

The second period belonged to Gosselin — but Fife refused to let Guildford gain any momentum.

Simon Despres was penalised for tripping at 24:00, and Gosselin made them pay immediately, converting on the power play at 24:15 with Cole Ully and Matt Alvaro assisting to make it 1-2. Guildford were back in it, and the Spectrum was beginning to stir.

Fife's response was swift and clinical. Keaton Jameson restored the two-goal cushion at 32:11, finishing from Logan Neilson's assist, to make it 1-3. Dundee called a timeout — a sign of the pressure Guildford were applying — but Gosselin struck again at 37:34, assisted by Joshua Waller and Marcus Tesink, to keep the deficit at just one going into the second break.

It was 2-3 after forty minutes. Gosselin had single-handedly kept Guildford alive, and the game had everything to play for.

The third period opened with Fife striking first again. Justin Ducharme made it 2-4 at 46:39 — Hunt and McLean with the assists — and suddenly Guildford faced a two-goal mountain once more. Gosselin completed his hat-trick at 48:14, pulling it back to 3-4 from Sean Comrie and Ully, but this time there was no way through.

Fife's Jeremy Masella was penalised for slashing at 52:18, giving Guildford a power play chance at a crucial moment, but they couldn't convert. With under two minutes left, the Flames pulled Taz Burman from the net, called a timeout, and threw everything at Shane Owen's goal. The Flyers held firm.

Final score: 4-3 to Fife. Gosselin's hat-trick was a brilliant effort — three goals, all from different assists combinations, all at pivotal moments. On another night it wins the game. On this occasion, Fife's early two-goal cushion proved just enough.

Form guide context

Guildford came into this one in strong form — four wins in five including an overtime victory over Glasgow earlier in the week. This defeat breaks that run, but with Gosselin producing the kind of individual display he did here, the Flames will take plenty of confidence forward.

For Fife, a fourth loss in five overall, but a victory that will do real good for morale. Owen was solid when called upon throughout, and the Flyers' ability to respond every time Guildford threatened to level showed real defensive resolve.