Storm and Steelers faced each other for the first time in over a year for the Elite Series.

Between the pipes for Steelers was British netminder Ben Churchfield, replacing John Muse, who was injured in the previous game against Nottingham Panthers. 

First period 

The first twenty mins of play saw strong positioning and play from both sides. Klavestad took chances on a wrist shot from the blue line for Storm and J. Philips for Steelers with a wraparound, shut out by Bonar.

Throughout, there were plenty of neutral zone turnovers for each team but no goal conceded in almost ten minutes of play. 

At 10:23 Steelers scored first blood, a snap shot flashed past Bonar, scored by Hrable on a pass from Jones. 

Long equalised for Storm at 12:51, scoring his second of the Elite series on a slick wraparound pass from Simmonds.

Davies was sent to the box on the first penalty of the game, sitting for a high-sticking call at 13:42. Steelers capitalised towards the end of the powerplay when Dowd went alone to the net, on a pass from Schulze, scoring a backhand shot at 15:40. 

Steelers were handed a two plus two penalty against Saxrud-Danielsen for cross checking and roughing at 18:59, allowing Storm the upper hand at the start of the second period. 

Second period 

The second period was a four goal thriller. 

Long tied the game at 22:21 for Storm with a wristshot from the hash marks, assisted by Critchlow and Fawcett. 

Davies then went one goal ahead of Steelers, scoring Storm’s third goal short sided against Churchfield, on a pass from Long near the blue line at 27:48. 

Eberle was sent to the box for hooking at 29:54, giving the Storm a two goal lead on the powerplay. Ehrhardt lit up the lamp at 30:59, via a slapshot at the blue line, assisted by Lundell Noer. 

Steelers brought the score to one goal behind, when Kirk snapped the puck in the slot, assisted by Mikyska at 33:28.

Batch headed to the box for hooking in the final minute of play, giving Steelers the extra man for the start of final period. 

Third period 

Both teams came out strong in the third. Bonar impressed going post to post to making a fantastic save against Mikyska and Kirk on the penalty kill.

At 42:28 Steelers equalised, bringing the scoreline 4-4 with a wrist shot from Olden, assisted by Schulze.

The remainder of the third period was a hard fight from both sides, both trying to get one goal up on the opposition. 

A fantastic one timer from Fortier saw the puck go top shelf in the final minute of play, Lundell Noer getting his second assist of the game. 

ELITE SERIES: Manchester Storm take on the Nottingham Panthers on Tuesday the 6th April at the Nottingham Ice Arena in Elite Series action! Buy the webcast HERE! Face-off is 7pm!

#2021EliteSeries packages and single games are available to buy NOW! ! Multi-game packages will be available until 23:59 on Sunday 4 April 2021.

#WeAreStorm | #ATTWWY | #Manchester