TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are back in action on Sunday 15th January as we face the Braehead Clan in EIHL action. 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!

The Braehead Clan are in town this Sunday 15th January as they face the Go Goodwins Sponsored Manchester Storm at the Storm Shelter, facing off at 5:30 in a Gardiner Conference matchup.

It’s the only game of the weekend for the Storm, however the Clan come into the game after taking on the Edinburgh Capitals, going down 3-2 at home.

The Clan are currently sitting at the top of the Gardiner Conference standings, with an impressive lead over second-placed Fife Flyers. They have secured 28 points from 19 games, winning 14 and losing only 5. Manchester are currently placed 3rd in the Conference, with 18 points from their 18 games, winning 8 and losing 8. The gap in the overall Elite League table is smaller, however, due the Storm’s impressive form against the Erhardt conference sides. Storm have 27 points from 29 games, whereas the Clan have 32 from 33, so Storm have 4 games in hand on the Glasgow side.

Storm-Clan Games So Far: This is the final meeting between the teams this season at Altrincham, and will be the fifth meeting overall. The first matchup was in Braehead in mid-September, and resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Storm. A Darian Dziurzynski double overturning a Matt Keith goal. In the 3 meetings at the Storm Shelter the Braehead Clan have come out on top each time, and have scored 5 goals in every game. The sides met in late September, with the Clan prevailing 5-3, this was followed up by a 5-2 Clan victory in mid-November and a 5-4 Clan victory the following week. Matt Beca and Scott Pitt have been in good form for the Clan in their meetings with the Storm this season, Beca has 3 goals and 4 assists, and Pitt has 2 goals and 6 assists in the 4 games. For the Storm, Taylor Dickin has 1 goal and 3 assists, and Connor Varley has 4 assists in the matchups. The games have also seen netminder Mike Clemente pick up 2 assists, a slightly unusual achievement for a goaltender.

The Return of the Dude: That’s right, he’s back! Number 29 Eric Neilson returns to action for the Storm this weekend after 9 weeks off with an eye injury. The 6’2” forward has started 20 games for the Storm this season, scoring 1 goal and adding 5 assists while receiving 38 penalty minutes. He provides some much needed depth for the Storm squad, as has been a vital part of the penalty kill early on in the season.

Lineup Info: Omar Pacha will be behind the bench this evening after sustaining an injury recently.

Form: After last week’s difficult games against the Flyers, the Storm have now won 1 of their last 5 games, for a total of 2 points. Braehead have also won 1 of their last 5, and have taken a point in 2 of the other games for a total of 4 points.

One to watch: Matt Beca has not only been impressive in games against the Storm, he has been one of the best players for the Clan this season, scoring 20 goals and adding 24 assists in 33 games.

MATCH DETAILS:

• Doors open from 4:30pm
• Face-Off at 5:30pm
• SOTB this evening is #29 Eric Neilson
• 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 ourBLACK home jerseys
• Jacks Bar will be open post game until 11pm