PREVIEW: Storm vs MK Lightning

TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm welcome the Milton Keynes Lightning on the 20th January 2018, here at Planet Ice Altrincham in Elite League action! 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 return to the Storm Shelter this Saturday 20th January to face the MK Lightning in a big Patton Conference clash that faces off at 7:00 pm.

The Patton conference remains tight, with only 3 points separating the top and the bottom. Storm sit atop of the conference having secured 15 points from 13 games. The Lightning sit one place below with 14 points from 15 games, 1 point ahead of the Blaze who have played 12 games. Flames round out the conference, with 12 points from just 10 games. The teams have been picking up points from each other, and the games between Lightning and Storm have been split almost evenly. Storm have picked up 5 points in the 5 games against the Lightning, with the Lightning picking up 6 having won 3 of them. In the first 3 meetings in Altrincham, Storm have won two 6-2 and 6-0, while the Lightning picked up an overtime victory 5-4 in mid-November. The Lightning have won both games at home, winning 3-2 on both occasions. Top-scoring for the Storm has been Mike Hammond with 2 goals and 5 assists in the 5 games, followed by Dane Byers who has picked up 6 assists against the Lightning. For MK, Denny Kearney and Francis Verreault-Paul have both grabbed 6 points, Kearney with 3 goals and 3 assists, Verreault-Paul getting 2 goals and 4 assists.

Both sides were in action last weekend, with the Storm travelling to Braehead and Edinburgh, while the Lightning hosted Dundee on Saturday before having a day off on Sunday. Storm overcame the Clan 5-2, Luke Moffatt scoring a double and Ciaran Long, Matt Beca, and Dallas Ehrhardt getting one each. After facing the Clan, Storm travelled to Edinburgh in a game that ended 4-3 in favour of the Capitals. Storm goals came from Ciaran Long, Declan Balmer, and Dallas Ehrhardt who was playing his 99th competitive game for the Storm. The Lightning went down 4-3 against the Stars, goals from Christian Isackson and two from Kevin King were not enough to secure the points for the Lightning.

Milton Keynes have recently been missing Tommy Mele to a broken foot, Kyle Essery to a knee injury, and Paul Phillips to a lower-body injury. Phillips is being assessed week-by-week, while it looks as though Essery and Mele will definitely be missing from the lineup this weekend. Storm will once again be without Jay Rosehill due to suspension.

One to watch: Denny Kearney always seems to be in the thick of the action for the Lightning, the North Hampshire native has picked up 10 goals and 27 assists, while spending 38 minutes in the penalty box in 33 games.

MATCH DETAILS:

  • Doors open from 6 pm
  • Face-Off at 7 pm
  • SOTB is #79 Shane Bakker
  • Stick Raffle is #34 Dane Byers
  • Match Sponsors for the game are the Storm’s OSC
  • 50/50 & “Chuck A Puck” will also be running! Buy your tickets from the OSC under Block 113
  • Tickets for the game can be bought from HERE
  • Webcast for the game can be bought HERE
  • The Station Hotel, official pub of the Storm, will be open pre & post game!
  • There will be FREE post-game ice skating & skate hire thanks to Planet Ice Altrincham!
  • Storm will be in their BLACK home jerseys for the game.

TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm welcome the Milton Keynes Lightning on the 20th January 2018, here at Planet Ice Altrincham in Elite League action! Tickets can be ordered online, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.