A dominant home performance from the Goodwin Group Manchester Storm sealed a 5-2 victory over rivals Sheffield Steelers, in the Challenge Cup.

The opening stanza saw the hosts take the lead through Hughesman at 10:49, on the powerplay, with helpers going to Ehrhardt and Critchlow. Just before the first intermission, a classy finish from Eberle brought the Steelers level, the assists going to Meland and Liwing.

The second started at a frenetic pace, with both sides pushing for the lead. It would take a bulldozing attack from Gagnon to give the hosts another one-goal advantage with 27:48 played, assisted by Fawcett. This advantage was doubled through an excellent piece of work from Hughesman and Aulin, with the latter roofing the puck on the backhand.

The final period started perfectly for the Storm, with a wrist shot from Grewal, handing the rookie his first goal in professional hockey. This was a very well deserved goal for the young Canadian, who has adapted exceptionally to the EIHL.

When the game appeared to be drifting towards a conclusion the aforementioned Eberle beat Ginn for a second time. This goal at 55:42 gave the Steelers hope of a late comeback. Despite pulling their netminder for large parts of the final few minutes, the visitors couldn’t score again. A flurry of minor penalties with just six seconds remaining sent the Storm back onto the powerplay. This man advantage chance was converted expertly by Sullivan, whose shot rounded off a truly fantastic home-ice performance.

Man of the Match for Steelers went to #10 Tanner Eberle.

Man of the Match for Storm went to #1 Matt Ginn.

The Storm travel south today to take on the Coventry Blaze at 5:30PM.

Don’t miss the Storm’s next home game on Sunday 6th October against the Glasgow Clan Doors open at 16:30 for a face-off time at 17:30.