PRE-SEASON TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are pleased to announce that tickets for our 2017 pre-season games against the Sheffield Steelers & Coventry Blaze are now available to purchase. Tickets can be ordered online by clicking here, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.

The long off-season finally came to an end this evening, as your Go Goodwins Manchester Storm started their pre-season campaign against conference rivals, the Coventry Blaze, with an Over-Time loss.

The first period couldn’t have started better for your Storm, as with just 3:54 gone in the period, Matt Bissonnette converted on the power-play from a Mike Hammond assist to give the visitors the opening goal. This was followed quickly by a second goal for the Storm, as Mike Hammond grabbed a second power-play goal, this time assisted by Matt Stanisz.

However, whilst on the penalty kill for the 3rd time of the 1st period, the Coventry Blaze were able to break away and slot home – short handed – the goal scorer being Ross Venus. This didn’t deter the Storm, who continued to battle hard. Their efforts were rewarded with a 3rd power-play goal, this time scored by Shane Bakker! The period finally came to a close, with Storm not taking a single penalty in the opening 20 minutes.

However, the second period was not as kind to your #StormTroopers, as the Blaze were able to score not one, but two goals, to tie things up early in the period. With 3:29 played in the second, Vallerand was able to slot home from a Dingle for the Blaze’s 2nd goal of the evening, whilst their 3rd came just moments later, after much discussion between the officials and the timekeepers bench.

Blaze’s Captain Pietrus was awarded the goal, after it was determined that the Storm’s net had NOT come off it’s moorings before the puck crossed the line. The Storm’s bad luck continued, taking not one, but 4 penalties in quick succession, however their PK teams (and some heroics from Mike Clemente) saw the Blaze unable to capitalise on the man advantage.

The third period saw a change in net for both sides, with Declan Ryan taking over from Mike Clemente for the final 20 minutes. A slow start to the period was soon ended, when Jay Rosehill dropped the gloves with the Blaze’s Paquette, but neither got going before the officials broke it up. Dallas Ehrhardt had a chance denied by the pad of the Coventry netminder, whilst Ryan held his own in the Storm’s net. Despite a constant barrage of shots by the Storm, they were unable to break the Blaze’s D for much of the 3rd period.

With the clock ticking down, the Blaze went close to adding a 4th, and a brawl ensued around Ryan as he tried to cover the puck. The play moved end to end, with both teams failing to take chances. The period came to a close with the scores tied 3-3, meaning a 5 minute period of 3-on-3, sudden death hockey, would follow.

The play flowed end to end, with both sides going close! However, with 2:46 gone in OT, the Blaze were awarded a penalty shot, which Ryan Dingle took and scored, to win the thrilling end-to-end game 4-3 in favour of the home side.

The Storm now look ahead to Saturdays away game against the Sheffield Steelers, before heading to the #StormShelter for the first time this season, when they take on the Steelers in their #PrideGame!

Storm MOM – #79 Shane Bakker

Photos by Chris Wiggins

PRE-SEASON TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are pleased to announce that tickets for our 2017 pre-season games against the Sheffield Steelers & Coventry Blaze are now available to purchase. Tickets can be ordered online by clicking here, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.