A pulsating encounter between Manchester Storm and Coventry Blaze saw the visitors come away with a 4-3 victory via penalty shots.

The game’s first powerplay opportunity was seized by the visiting Blaze, as a one-timer from the point by Alderson in the 8th minute sparked the match into life after a rather sedate opening few moments. A solid and continuous attacking effort from the Storm eventually reaped its rewards, with Martin winning a net-front battle to scramble the puck home in the 15th minute. The top line of Durflinger-D’Aoust-Martin had Coventry hemmed deep into their own zone every time they took to the ice, with the hosts looking increasingly likely to take the lead. An attempted “Michigan” goal from Hughes hit the post moments later, as Manchester continued to pile on the pressure. However, a goal massively against the run of play by Gresock broke the momentum built by Storm, as Blaze took an unlikely 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

The second period started in a similar vein to the one that preceded it, with scoring opportunities few and far between. In the 34th minute, an excellent pass from Carroll was eased home by Durflinger at the back post. Less than a minute later, an amazing stop by Robson thwarted a likely D’Aoust goal, as the netminder pulled off a highlight-reel leg-kicking save.

In almost perfect symmetry, the final period was slow to build up its pace. However, a wonderful passage of play by the Storm was finished with a skilful wraparound goal from Durflinger, as the top line combined to great effect again, handing Storm their first advantage of the match. This slender lead would be short-lived, as a fortuitous bounce of the puck enabled the Blaze to fire on goal, with Cressey deflecting the effort beyond Weninger to level the match at 3-3. A penalty shot awarded to Coventry was expertly stopped by Weninger as he stared down Jurgens with just 58 seconds remaining in regulation, sending the game into overtime.

A whistleless overtime period came and went in a flash, as an initial powerplay chance for the Storm saw the remainder of the period played out at 4-on-4.

Words by: Callum Schora