TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are back in action on Sunday 19th February as we face the Sheffield Steelers in EIHL action, as well as welcoming back Storm legend, Brad Rubachuk for his jersey retirement. Faceoff is at 5:30 pm and tickets can be ordered online, by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office!

Your Go Goodwins sponsored Manchester Storm are back in action this Saturday as they take the short trip over the Pennines to Sheffield, taking on the Steelers at 7:00 pm.

The teams are facing off in a home-and-home series this weekend, Saturday’s game in Sheffield is followed up by a meeting on Sunday at the Storm Shelter. The Steelers are still in the chase for the league title and find themselves in 3rd position, a handful points behind Belfast and Cardiff. The Storm are in their own battle, as they look to secure a playoff place ahead of Coventry, Dundee, and Edinburgh. Manchester are in 7th place in the league, 4 points ahead of Coventry and 5 ahead of Dundee, with games in hand over both. With big games at both ends of the table, this is an important weekend for both sides.

Last Weekend: It was a mixed weekend for both teams last week, as they secured a victory apiece. Storm started off the weekend well, overcoming the Fife Flyers 7-3 at home. Goals came from Valcak, Trabucco, Heatley, Dickin, Harding, and a Darian Dziurzynski double. This was followed up by a 4-2 loss at the hands of Dundee, Connor Varley and Jack Prince getting the goals on the night as Dundee secured a late empty-net goal. The Steelers faced arch rivals Nottingham on Saturday, succumbing to a 5-4 loss away from home. Desbiens, Fretter, and two from Valdix were not enough to secure the points on the night. Ervins Mustukovs got his first 2 shutouts of the season on Sunday and Wednesday as the Steelers beat Edinburgh and Nottingham, both by a 3-0 scoreline. Robert Dowd and Levi Nelson grabbing the goals on Sunday, Davey Phillips, Levi Nelson, and Geoff Walker getting the goals on Wednesday evening as the Steelers booked their place in the Challenge Cup Final.

Steelers – Storm this season: The sides have met twice in the league this season over the New Year break, with Steelers taking the victory in both games. The first meeting ended 2-1 to Sheffield, Desbiens and Dziurzynski traded goals, before a late Levi Nelson goal secure the points for Sheffield. This was followed up by a 4-1 Steelers victory at the Storm Shelter, Ratchuk, Armstrong, and Dowd getting the Sheffield goals, Darian Dziurzynski with the solitary Storm marker. In the battle of the netminders, Mike Clemente has made 56 saves from 61 shots for a save percentage of 91.8%. Mustukovs has made 52 saves from 54 shots, a save percentage of 96.3%.

Form: The Storm have secured 3 points from their last 5 games, while the Steelers have managed 8 points from their last 5.

One to watch: Geoff Walker was a late signing for the Steelers, as they make 1 final push for the league title. The 6’3” forward has notched 3 points in his first 3 games for the Steelers, and joined from the Alps Hockey League.

MATCH DETAILS:

• Game at the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield: Broughton Ln, Sheffield S9 2DF
• Doors open from 6:00pm
• Face-off at 7:00pm
• Tickets for the game can be bought from HERE
• Webcast for the game can be found & ordered HERE
• Live Twitter updates from the game will be via StormLive
• Storm will be in their limited edition WHITE Rubachuk away jerseys