MATCH REPORT: Storm Take two Points Against the Stars!

Tickets for Storm’s upcoming home game against the Milton Keynes Lightning can be ordered online HERE, or by calling the Box Office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office. Face-off is Sunday 17th March, 17:30PM face-off. There are only three games of the 2018/19 season left, and they are crucial in the run up to Playoffs. Don’t miss out!

Last night, your Go Goodwins Manchester Storm hosted match night entertainer, Jon Hammonds Retirement Night. The evening saw Storm play host to visitors, the Dundee Stars. It was an eventful evening from start to end, with Hammond stepping in for one last night on the mic, and the team donning specially made Jon Hammond jerseys during warm ups.

The first twenty minutes saw brilliant saves at both ends, a fight, a game ejection and two goals.

Ten minutes into play saw Braid and Paczkowski drop the gloves. They were given coincidental penalties for fighting, Paczkowski getting an extra 2+10 for checking from behind. At 10:33 there was a scuffle in the Stars’ zone, resulting in Moffatt being given a 2+2 for slashing and roughing. Stars netminder, Sjögren was also ejected from the game for roughing.

The deadlock was broken at 11:30, Byers claiming the first goal for Storm on the powerplay, assisted by Hammond and Long.

Moments later, Chaloupka was handed a penalty for cross-checking, giving Storm the opportunity once more. The second goal of the night was scored by Moffatt on the powerplay, assisted by Hammond and Long at 15:26.

Photo by All Sports Photography

Four minutes into the second period, Hammond scored for Storm, firing the puck home over the shoulder of Holland, with the assist from Barnes – bringing the scoreline to 3-0.

Storm went on the penalty kill at 31:59, when Linsmayer was handed two minutes for hooking. Stars saw their moment, when Cownie scored their first goal at 32:09, assisted by Sullivan. Just moments later they struck again, Ricci putting the puck past Ginn, Sullivan taking his second assist of the evening, Dow with second assist.

There was a moment where Stars looked like they had equalised. This was waved off after the play went to review.

The remainder of the second period saw some fast end to end play, with hardly any breaks.

Photo by All Sports Photography

Moffatt put up the scoreline by two with his second goal of the night with a wrist shot past Holland, assisted by Byers and MacMillan at 45:31.

At 47:20, Storm played a man down when Bakker was sent to the penalty box for checking to the head, but Stars were unable to pull one back. 

Stars’ netminder, Holland was pulled for an extra skater in the final few minutes of play. With Springer in the penalty box at 59:02 and an empty net, the scoreline could have gone either way. After holding up a strong penalty kill, Storm claimed the two points in regular time, winning 4-2 – a critical game in the run up to playoffs!

Man of the Match for the Dundee Stars went to #4 Mike Sullivan.
The OSC Player of the Month went to, #21 Mike Hammond.
Man of the Match for the Manchester Storm also went to, #21 Mike Hammond.
Shots on Goal: Pontus Sjögren/Craig Holland – 24.
Shots on Goal: Matt Ginn – 31.
Referees: Chris Wells & Steve Brown.

Don’t miss the next home game on Sunday 17th March against visitors, Milton Keynes Lightning – 17:30PM face-off!

There’s still a few Manchester Storm jerseys available to own and loan this season. More information can be found here. Keep your eye on the Official Supporters Club social media for information on kit club. There are only four OSC events of the 2018/19 season remaining, book soon to avoid missing out!