PREVIEW: Storm @ MK Lightning

TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm welcome the MK Lightning on Sunday the 8th October, here at SilverBlades Ice Rink Altrincham! Tickets can be ordered online, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.

The Go Goodwins Sponsored Manchester Storm are back in action this weekend, as they face the Milton Keynes Lightning in an Elite Ice Hockey League double-header. The Storm travel down to Buckinghamshire on Saturday evening for a 7:00 pm faceoff, followed by a return game on Sunday at the Altrincham Ice Rink at 5:30 pm.

The sides have met once before in the league this season, Storm coming out victors 6-2 at home in mid-September. Ryan Trenz, Matt Bissonnette, Linden Springer, Ciaran Long, Mike Hammond, and Matt Beca getting Storm’s goals, with Denny Kearney and Carl Hudson getting the Lightning consolation markers in a game where Lightning netminder Miika Wiikman went off injured. Wiikman has since recovered from his injury, as has Lightning’s Polish international netminder Przemyslaw Odrobny, giving the Lightning plenty of cover in goal.

Both Lightning and Storm have had a good start to the season, Manchester winning 5 of their first 6 league games while the Lightning have picked up 2 wins from their first 5 games, in their debut Elite League season. Both teams had mixed fortunes last weekend, goals from Matt Beca and Dane Byers were not enough for the Storm last Saturday, as they went down 3-2 in a Challenge Cup fixture in Nottingham. Lightning were also in Cup action on Saturday, overcoming fellow Elite League newcomers the Guildford Flames 3-2 at home. Gui Doucet continued his impressive start to the season for the Lightning grabbing 2 goals, with Kevin King also scoring. Storm put their setback behind them quickly the following night against the Belfast Giants winning 2-1 at home. A good performance from netminder Mike Clemente, who made 28 saves, complemented goals from Paul Swindlehurst and Captain Jay Rosehill. The Lightning made the long trip up to Dundee to take on the Stars but came up short losing 5-1 on the evening.

Neither side will be at full strength this weekend, Francis Paul-Verreault picked up a 1-game suspension following an altercation in Dundee and will miss Saturday’s game. Storm’s Chris Auger required surgery on an upper-body injury sustained last weekend and will be out for some time. Nate Fleming will provide the cover for the Storm.

One to watch: Canadian forward Guillaume Doucet has been on fire this season, scoring 7 goals from 9 Cup and League fixtures. The sniper will be one to watch this weekend.

MATCH DETAILS FOR TONIGHT:

  • Game at the Planet Ice Milton Keynes: B1, South Row, Milton Keynes, MK9 1D, United Kingdom
  • Doors open from 6:00 pm
  • Face-off at 7:00 pm
  • Tickets can be purchased online or on the day HERE – Away fans sit in block “8”
  • Live Twitter updates from the game will be via StormLive
  • There is a live stream for this game, purchase HERE
  • Storm will be in their white away jerseys

TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm welcome the MK Lightning on Sunday the 8th October, here at SilverBlades Ice Rink Altrincham! Tickets can be ordered online, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.