TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are back in action on Saturday 28th January as we face the Dundee Stars in EIHL action. Faceoff is at 7 pm and tickets can be ordered online, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office!

After a weekend on the road your Go Goodwins sponsored Manchester Storm are back at the Storm Shelter this Saturday as the Dundee Stars make the 300-mile journey for a 7:00 pm faceoff.

The Stars and the Storm find themselves in a 3-way battle with the Blaze for the final two playoff spots in the league, after a difficult last weekend for both teams. The Storm have the advantage in the playoff run, with 30 points from 33 games, 4 points more than the Stars who have also played a game extra. In the Gardiner conference standings, the Storm have a 4 point advantage, however the Stars have played 4 fewer games. Both teams will be looking to put last weekend’s disappointment behind them as the chase for the playoffs moves into the final third of the season.

Last Weekend: The Storm went on their Scottish triple-header last weekend, taking on the other three sides from Scotland. Friday night’s game against the Braehead Clan ended 2-1 in a tight encounter, Eric Neilson scoring the solitary Storm goal, off a nice feed from Mark Heatley. The Storm then went down 4-3 in overtime to the Flyers on Saturday night, Jack Prince, Cody Cartier, and Darian Dziurzynski scoring the goals for Manchester on the night. A trip to Murrayfield rounded off the weekend, but it was another loss for the Storm as they succumbed 2-1 to the Capitals. Matt Bissonnette getting the Storm goal, from a nice Dallas Ehrhardt pass. It was a big weekend for netminder Mike Clemente, as he faced 99 shots, turning away 91 of them. The Stars faced two Erhardt conference sides last weekend, going down 6-0 away to the Belfast Giants and 4-0 at home against the Coventry Blaze. It was an uncharacteristic weekend for the Stars, as they had beaten the Giants the previous weekend.

Storm – Stars, the story so far: The first 4 meetings between the sides this season have resulted in 3 victories for the Stars, and the sides have split 2 games at the Storm Shelter. The first matchup resulted in a 3-2 victory for the Stars, Mikael Lidhammer, Matt White, and Tommaso Traversa with the Stars goals, Storm replying through Trevor Johnson and Paul Phillips. This was followed up by a 3-2 shootout victory for the Stars in Altrincham, Kevin Hart and Scott Brannon scoring for the Stars, Jack Prince and Matt Bissonnette with the Storm goals. Mikael Lidhammer converting the only penalty shot in the shootout, to secure the victory for the Stars. The third meeting ended 6-3 in the favour of the Stars, a Switzer hattrick and goals from Bruijsten, Poulin, and Sides were enough for victory, Storm replied through Harding, Bissonnette, and Heatley. The Storm finally overcame the Stars in the last match between the teams on boxing day in the Storm Shelter. Goals from Darian Dziurzynski and Mario Trabucco, and an Omar Pacha double secured a 4-1 victory over the Stars, Kevin Bruijsten with the solitary Stars goal on the night. Top point scoring for the Stars has been Mikael Lidhammer and Kevin Bruijsten, who both have 5 points in the 4 matches. Matt Bissonnette has the highest tally for the Storm, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists in the matchups. In the battle of the netminders, Joe Fallon has 112 saves from 123 shots in the meetings, for a save percentage of 91.1%. Mike Clemente has made 109 saves from 121 shots, giving him a save percentage of 90.1%.

Form: The Stars have won 3 of their last 5, taking 6 points. Storm have 1 win from the last 5, taking 3 points in the process.

One to watch: Kevin Bruijsten was a late addition to the Stars squad, as Marc Lefebvre looked to add some goalscoring to his team. The Dutch international has scored 12 goals in his first 29 games for the Stars, making him their second top goalscorer, 1 goal behind former Storm forward Vinny Scarsella.

MATCH DETAILS:

• Doors open from 6:00pm
• Face-Off at 7:00pm
• SOTB this evening is #81 Patrik “The Iceberg” Valcak
• 50/50 & “Chuck A Puck” will also be running! Buy your tickets from sellers around the rink!
• Tickets for the game can be bought from HERE
• Webcast for the game can be found & ordered HERE
• Storm will be in our BLACK home jerseys
• Jacks Bar will be open post game until 11pm!
• There will be FREE ice skating & skate hire post game until 11pm!