NEXT HOME GAME: The Go Goodwins Manchester Storm face the Cardiff Devils at the Storm Shelter on Saturday, 22nd March (6:30pm face-off) in the final home game of the 2015/16 season. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here, calling the box office on 0161 926 8782 or direct at the box office.

The Manchester Storm playoff push came to an end this evening as they fell 6-3 at home to the Braehead Clan, in a thrilling end to end game of hockey, that saw fantastic fast, skilled and physical play on show from both sides.

The first period couldn’t have started out better for the Storm, who were still licking their wounds from the previous evenings 8-3 loss at the Braehead Arena, when they went ahead nice and early thanks to Matt Sisca popping one past Chris Holt in the Braehead net. The Clan responded quickly however and Ben Davies levelled the scores less than 30 seconds later. The Storm continued to push hard for the go ahead goal however, and were rewarded whilst on the power play, when Vinny Scarsella let one rip past Holt to put the Storm 2-1 up over the Clansmen.

The second period saw end to end hockey played by both sides, who were both in need of the win tonight. The Clan were the first on the board during the period when Thomas Nesbitt bagged his 14th, followed quickly by his 15th, to send the Clan 2-3 up and the travelling Clan “Purple Army” wild! It was not long however until Grant Toulmin tied things up for the Storm whilst on the power play. The play continued to be end to end, with the period ending 3-3, meaning it was all to play for with 20 minutes left.

However, the hockey gods were not looking favourably on the Storm and the Clan were able to go 2 goals up in the space of 30 seconds, before bagging their 6th and final goal of the night to all but secure the fate of the Storm.

In the end, the Storm were unable to overcome the 3 goal lead of the Clan and their dreams of a playoff place in their first year since reforming were over. There’s still one home game to go however, a feisty affair with the Cardiff Devils who are looking to secure the Elite League title! Face-off is 6:30pm next Saturday evening (19th March), so get your tickets NOW!