TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm get their season underway, as they host the Braehead Clan in the Challenge Cup on Sunday, 3rd September, here at SilverBlades Ice Rink Altrincham! Tickets can be ordered online by clicking here, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.

Your Go Goodwins Manchester Storm came away from the intu Braehead arena with a disappointing 5-7 loss to the Braehead Clan, in both sides opening game of the 2017/18 season!

The fixture, which was for the Challenge Cup, saw Storm Head Coach Ryan Finnerty, return to the arena he called home for the previous 4 season. The build up to the game was massive, with both sets of fans looking forward too seeing who would eventually come out victorious!

Things couldn’t have started worse for the Storm, as the Braehead Clan raced into a 2 goal lead early in the first period, with both Jacob Doty grabbing a power play goal with 18:27 left to play in the period, and Mike Embach also grabbing a 2nd power play goal with 16:18 left to play in the period. Storm began to get into the swing of things, and with just under 15 minutes left to play in the period, Dane Byers was able to grab the Storms opening goal of the game.

Minutes later, and with the hockey flowing end to end, Matt Bissonnette grabbed the storms 2nd goal of the night, whilst on the power play, thanks to a beautiful Matt Beca assist, with 10:29 to go in the period. Braehead slowly found their time in possession of the puck decreasing rapidly, and with 7:28 to go in the period, Mike Hammond launched a rocket past his former team to give the Storm the lead for the first time of the evening. A late attempt by Storm, right at the buzzer, was put to the Goal Line Tech, but was deemed not to have crossed the line.

Storm struggled for much of the 2nd period, with the Braehead Clan’s Mike Embach & Jacob Doty both grabbing goals in the period to restore the Clans lead, much to the disappointment of the travelling Storm supporters. Despite getting plenty of chances, many on net, Ryan Nie was able to stop all that came towards him in the Clan net.

The third period saw Storm start on a 5-on-3 PP, due to the Clan taking two late penalties in the second. A continuous attack by the Storm, was rewarded with nothing, as Nie was once again able to pull off some impressive saves to deny an equalising goal. 5 minutes into the period, Storm levelled things up, with Dane Byers grabbing his second of the night, with a beautiful touch past Nie.

20 seconds later however, the Clan were once again in the lead, with Cameron Burt grabbing the go ahead goal almost immediately from the face-off after Byers goal. A few minutes later, the Clan restored their earlier 2 goal lead, with Christoffer Bjorklund grabbing the home sides 6th of night, just before the half way mark of the period.

With the clock ticking down, and 2 goals behind, Coach Finnerty called a timeout to assess the situation. Taking a bold move, the Canadian decided to pull Storm’s net minder, Mike Clemente, and go with the extra man – with over 2:30 left to play int he game! The gamble paid off however, as former Clan superstar, Matt Beca, was able to covert from Matt Hammond assist, to cut the home sides lead to 1.

Storm pulled Clemente again, with just over a minute to go, when the Braehead Clan took a penalty just minutes from the final buzzer. However, the Storm were not as lucky this time, with Adam Brace grabbing an empty net goal 31 seconds from time to secure the 2 points for the home team.

Storm now look ahead to tomorrow’s HUGE home opener against the Clan, and will be certainly out for revenge. Tickets for this hugely anticipated game at SilverBlades Ice Rink Altrincham (Face-Off is at 5:30pm) are selling fast, and can be ordered online, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.

MOM for the Storm: #34 Dane Byers

Photos by Al Goold

TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm get their season underway, as they host the Braehead Clan in the Challenge Cup on Sunday, 3rd September, here at SilverBlades Ice Rink Altrincham! Tickets can be ordered online by clicking here, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.