TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are back in home action this Saturday, 26th November, as we take on the Belfast Giants here at the Storm Shelter. Face off is at 7pm, and tickets can be ordered online or by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.

Your Go Goodwins sponsored Manchester Storm are back in Elite League action this Saturday 26th November, facing off at home against the Belfast Giants at 7:00 pm.

This game is a clash of the conference leaders, with both Manchester and Belfast sitting top of their respective conferences. Prior to the weekend, Belfast had totalled 13 points from their 12 Erhardt conference games, 4 points more than second placed Cardiff who have played 7 games. It’s a similar story in the Gardiner conference, where the Storm have 12 points from 12 games, with Braehead sitting in second, accumulating 10 points from 7 games. In the league standings, Belfast are currently in third place, 4 points and 2 positions above the Manchester Storm. A victory for the Storm would keep Manchester in the chase for the top positions.

Belfast come into the game after taking on the Nottingham Panthers on Friday night, and their recent form has propelled them up the league table. Prior to the weekend, they had won 4 of their last 5 games including victories over the league leading Cardiff Devils, as well as conference rivals Nottingham Panthers. During those 5 games, player-coach Derrick Walser has put up 6 points, split evenly between goals and assists. The Nova Scotia native is a key part of the Belfast squad.

The Storm head into the weekend on the back of a mixed couple of games in the Storm Shelter last weekend. A frustrating 5-4 reverse against the Braehead Clan on Saturday was followed up by a excellent 3-0 victory over the Fife Flyers, who sit 1 position above Manchester in the league. Defenceman Connor Varley and Omar Pacha both grabbed a goal each before Darian Dziurzynski secured victory with an empty net goal. Varley has been putting in some impressive performances recently, and has been rewarded with 6 points in his last 5 league games, taking his tally to 11 points from 14 games in the Elite League. The Fife game also saw netminder Mike Clemente get his first shutout for the Storm, his save percentage now sits at 90.4% for the season.

This is the first meeting between the two clubs this season, however the clubs will be seeing a lot of each other over the next month, as we both meet again in the Challenge Cup quarter final. This game on Saturday could be an opportunity for both clubs to put down a marker for that game.

ONE TO WATCH: Jim Vandermeer joined the Giants last season after a very successful career in the NHL, where he played 482 games. The tough defenceman is the perfect foil for the more offensive minded Walser.

MATCH DETAILS:

• Doors open from 6:00pm
• Face-off at 7:00pm
• “Shirt Off The Back” is #23 Paul Swindlehurst
• 50/50 & “Chuck A Puck” will also be running! Buy your tickets from sellers around the rink!
• Tickets for the game can be bought from HERE
• Webcast for the game can be found & ordered HERE
• Storm will be in their BLACK home jerseys
• Jacks Bar will be open post game until 11pm
• There is FREE ice skating + skate hire until 11pm