A complete and disciplined home-ice performance from the Storm ensured they snapped their home losing streak with a dominant 6-3 victory over Dundee.

The Storm made a perfect start, scoring just 33 seconds in as Morrow’s point shot found its way into the Stars’ net to kick off proceedings. A delay of game penalty called against Johnson was unfortunate, as the resulting power play allowed Dundee to equalise. As the minor penalty was about to expire, the hosts were caught puck-watching, giving O’Connor too much time and space in the slot to pick his spot in the sixth minute. However, the Storm responded with a power play goal of their own. A beautiful tic-tac-toe play culminated in Durflinger finishing from just inside the faceoff dot in the 17th minute.

A lengthy delay between periods, caused by minor Zamboni difficulties, appeared to favour the Storm. They capitalised with another well-worked power play goal, as D’Aoust delivered a lethal finish to double their advantage in the 23rd minute. Despite sustained pressure and momentum, the hosts were unable to extend their lead further during the middle period, thanks to solid goaltending at both ends. However, the Storm were gifted a short-handed goal late in the period, which provided a more comfortable cushion heading into the final stanza. Hebert, the man of the moment, clinically finished a counter-attack after a smart pass from D’Aoust with just over a minute left in the second period.

A tremendous feed from Hughes was gleefully poked home by Durflinger in the 45th minute, as Manchester continued to pour on the pressure. Dundee managed a second goal in the 51st minute when Yamamoto was quickest to a rebound, giving the travelling supporters a glimmer of hope for a miraculous comeback. A dubious interference call against the Storm sent the Stars on the powerplay and they immediately converted through Gravelle to put some home supporters in the edge of their seats. However, an empty net goal soon followed from Martin to wrap up a richly deserved home ice victory for Flanagan’s charges.

Words by: Callum Schora