Match Report: Steelers 5-4 Storm

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.

Your Go Goodwins Manchester Storm came away from their exhibition match at Sheffield Arena with a 5-4 loss to the 2017 Play-Offs winners, the Sheffield Steelers.

The game, which started late due to the amount of people attending the game, saw the Storm run straight into the lead, much to the delight of the 300+ travelling away fans, as Matt Bissonnette launched a laser past Ervins Mustukovs in the Steelers net, whilst on the Power Play, to give the travelling Storm the lead with 12:50 to go in the 1st. Storm continued to dominate much of the first period, however penalties began to mount against them.

The Steelers were able to tie things up with Roy grabbing the equalising goal, just seconds before the Storm were able to kill the penalty against them. Mustukovs continued to keep the scored tied, with impressive saves in the Steelers net, much to the frustration of the Storm. The Storm were then put in another difficult position, when Linden Springer was called for “Tripping” and given a 5+Game for the incident. The Storm defended well for much of the period, but with the seconds ticking away, a second penalty, this time on Dallas Ehrhardt, proved too much for the Storm D. 11s from killing the penalty, Andreas Valdix was able to find the back of the net, to give the home side the lead.

The second period saw the Storm weather a continued attack from the Steelers. Clemente in the Storm’s net was able to provide a selection of outstanding saves to keep the Steelers lead to 1. This lead however, was wiped off, when Matt Beca silenced the home fans with a beautiful shot past Mustukovs to tie things up 2-a-piece with 12:22 to go in the period. The scoreline was short lived however as Valdix was able to grab his second of the night, much to the delight of the home crowd. A 4th goal for the Steelers followed quickly after, scored by Colton Fretter, to see out the period.

Following a few technical issues with the ice, the third period finally started with two new net minders in goal, with Brad Day in the Steelers net & Ashley Smith making his debut for the Storm. The young Hull netminder flashed his pads on numerous occasions whilst on the PK early in the period, to deny some good chances from the Steelers. However, the continued pressure from the Steelers finally paid off, as Tim Wallace was able to slot him on the PK to give the Steelers their 5th go the night. With the clock ticking away, the Storm were still pushing hard for a 3rd goal. Chris Auger provided that much-needed goal, with 10 minutes to go in the period. A Steelers penalty kill followed, and once again, the Storm’s Man of The Match, Auger, slotted home to give the visitors their 4th – and give them a fighting chance with 7 minutes to go.

The play flowed end to end right up until the end of the period, with Storm putting plenty of shots on the Steelers net, but Brad Day was able to deny each and every single one, to give the Steelers a slim win over the Storm.

The attention now turns to tomorrow’s #Pride game at SilverBlades Ice Rink Altrincham, when we look for revenge on the Steelers. Limited tickets are still available for tomorrows first home game of the 2017/18 season, and can be bought online by clicking HERE!

MOM for the Storm: #61 Chris Auger

Photos: Dean Woolley

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.