TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are back in home action this Saturday, 3rd December, as we take on the Coventry Blaze here at the Storm Shelter in our FIRST ever TEDDY BEAR TOSS!!! Face off is at 7pm, and tickets can be ordered online or 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 Elite League action this weekend, taking on the Coventry Blaze in a ‘home and home’ series. The teams faceoff in the Storm Shelter at 7 pm on Saturday, before Sunday’s 5:15 pm game at the Coventry SkyDome.

The teams have met twice this season in the Challenge Cup group stages, with both clubs earning a victory apiece. In the first matchup between the two teams, at the Storm Shelter in mid-September, the Storm skated away with the points in a 3-1 win. Cartier, Trabucco, and Prince providing the goals for the Storm, the now-departed Bjorn Bombis getting the solitary Blaze marker. Coventry got their revenge in the return fixture in early-November, shutting out the Storm on their way to a 3-0 victory. Godfrey and Pietrus scoring the Blaze’s goals and Brian Stewart saving all 33 Manchester shots.

Manchester currently sit in 5th in the Elite League, taking 17 points from 17 games. They come into these off the back of a mixed weekend. Saturday night saw an impressive victory over the Belfast Giants in Altrincham. Goals from Dziurzynski, Trabucco, Swindlehurst, and Prince propelled the Storm to a 5-1 win, Mike Clemente having a solid night in nets saving 35 from 36 shots. Manchester then travelled to Dundee but went down 6-3, a late empty-net goal from Switzer securing the points for the Stars. 10th placed Coventry had a single game last weekend, which ended in a 6-3 loss against the Cardiff Devils. Despite Pietrus, Tait, and Clements (his first EIHL goal) scoring in the first period, the Devils returned with 5 unanswered goals in the final 2 periods.

Storm will also once again be without Patrik Valcak & Eric Neilson this weekend, both due to injury, but are delighted to announce that defensemen Dallas Ehrhardt will return to lineup after missing last Sunday’s game!

The teams will be looking to get a good start in Saturday’s game, not only would the first goal lay down a marker for the rest of the weekend it has also been pivotal in deciding the outcome of both games between the resepctive sides this season. In Coventry’s 17 games they have conceded first 11 times and have gone on to lose all 11 of those games. When they score first, Coventry typically go on to win the game, all 5 of their victories coming after the Blaze have scored first. The Storm have a slightly better record after conceding first in games this season, winning 2 games out of 9. Of the 8 games they have scored first, Manchester have won 5.

Coventry have made a number of roster changes already this season, Darcy Zajac, Bjorn Bombis, and Taylor Carnevale, himself a late signing, all departing, with T.J. Syner and Barry Almeida replacing them, as well as Ben Davies also joining the team. Both Syner and Almeida have already scored a point-a-game in their first 4 games, and look to be quality signings for the Blaze.

This game is key for both teams, Storm will be aiming to keep in touch with the likes of Belfast and Sheffield near the top of the table, whilst Coventry will be aiming to leap-frog Edinburgh and Braehead and climb back into the playoff positions.

Don’t forget to take part in the teddy toss and help out a great cause!

ONE TO WATCH: GB international Ben Davies was a late signing after starting the season in the ECHL with the Norfolk Admirals. The hard-working forward is an impressive skater, and is equally adept in the defensive and offensive zones.

MATCH DETAILS:

• Doors open from 6:00pm
• Face-off at 7:00pm
• “Shirt Off The Back” is #18 Taylor Dickin
• 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 their BLACK home jerseys
• Jacks Bar will be open post game until 11pm
• There is FREE ice skating + skate hire until 11pm