PREVIEW: Storm vs Guildford Flames

TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm welcome the Guildford Flames on Saturday the 23rd of September, 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.

Your Go Goodwins sponsored Manchester Storm are back at the Storm Shelter this Saturday 23rd September as new Elite League side the Guildford Flames travel up in a 7:00 pm faceoff.

Mixed fortunes last weekend: Both sides are coming off the back of a mixed weekend. Storm went down at home against fellow Patton conference rivals the Coventry Blaze on Saturday evening, the Midlands side running out 5-0 victors in a night to forget for the Storm. Flames travelled to Nottingham, earning a valuable point as the game went to overtime before the Panthers grabbed the winning goal. John Dunbar and Kruise Reddick getting the Flames goals, while Brian Stewart turned away 42 shots in a busy evening. The following night, the Flames hosted Sheffield in Surrey but the game ended 7-1 in favour of the Steelers. The one bright point for Guildford was a nice finish by David Lilliestrom Karlsson in the second period. The Storm hosted the other new Elite League side on Sunday, overturning the Lightning 6-2. Trenz, Bissonnette, Springer, Hammond, Beca, and a first EIHL goal for Ciaran Long secured the victory, Mike Clemente making 21 saves in nets.

The Alberta Connection: Coach Paul Dixon‘s first EIHL side has been built around speed and an aggressive forecheck. He recruited 5 players with connections to the University of Alberta, Kruise Reddick, Rhett Rachinski, Brett Ferguson, Brennan Yadlowski, and Jesse Craige all spending time with the Golden Bears, coached by former Guildford Flames player, coach, and GM, Stan Marple. The Guildford squad also contains 3 Swedish players, former Dundee forward Mikael Lidhammar, David Lilliestrom Karlsson, and puck-moving defenceman Carl Ackerud making up the Scandinavian contingent of the Flames team, while Liam Stewart, Ben Davies, and netminder Brian Stewart bring EIHL experience to the squad. The side have already impressed during the season, running the Panthers close and beating Cardiff at home.

This game is the first Patton conference game for the Flames, while the Storm have two wins from three games for a total of four points. With the both sides playing an exciting brand of hockey, with plenty of goals in their games so far, this isn’t one to be missed!

One to watch: Brian Stewart is a name familiar with Storm fans having spent the last 2 years at the Coventry Blaze. An aggressive netminder, he gives the Flames the opportunity to win every night.

MATCH DETAILS:

  • Doors open from 6 pm
  • Face-Off at 7 pm
  • Tonight’s match sponsors are Manchester Storm OSC
  • SOTB this evening is a # Luke Moffatt HOME jersey
  • 50/50 & “Chuck A Puck” will also be running! Buy your tickets from the OSC!
  • Tickets for the game can be bought from HERE
  • Webcast for tonight’s game can be bought HERE.
  • The Station Hotel, official pub of the Storm, will be open pre & post game!
  • There IS free ice skating post game thanks to SilverBlades Ice Rink Altrincham

TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm welcome the Guildford Flames on Saturday the 23rd of September, 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.