TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are back in action this Sunday 2nd October with a “War Of The Roses” Challenge Cup match against the Sheffield Steelers. Face off is at 5.30pm and tickets can be ordered online or by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.

Storm picked up a gritty road point against Gardiner Conference rivals the Edinburgh Capitals but were denied the win by an inspired performance from Caps netminder Travis Fullerton. After picking up the Elite League “Player Of The Week” award last week, Fullerton continued his good form by turning away 32 shots as former NHL star Pavel Vorobyev’s two shoot-out strikes gave Edinburgh the win with the scores tied 2-2 after overtime.

Storm travelled north with optimism having won seven of the eight meetings with the Capitals last season, but without the services of Matt Bissonnette following his injury picked up against Braehead the previous night.

However, the new-look Capitals are much improved from last season’s travails and came into the game on the back of a Saturday win at the Fife Flyers and home-and-away wins against the Braehead Clan.

Both netminders came to the fore in a scoreless and even first period, with Mike Clemente brilliantly shutting down a short-handed Capitals breakaway and Fullerton plucking a vicious blue line slap shot from Storm captain Trevor Johnson out of the air.

The deadlock was broken early in the second period when Capitals talisman Jared Staal broke clear and slotted past Clemente. The goal revitalised the Storm who dominated the remainder of the period, firing 16 shots on Fullerton’s goal. After the Capitals netminder came up big on a Taylor Dickin breakaway and turned away a Paul Phillips drive, the pressure finally told with 37 minutes on the clock as Cody Cartier squeezed the puck home from close range for his second goal of the weekend.

Storm started the third period on the front foot, but both Clemente and Fullerton held firm until the Capitals ran into penalty trouble midway through the period. With Edinburgh captain Jacob Johnston in the penalty box for a high stick, opposite number Trevor Johnson blasted home from the blue line.

Unfortunately Storm were unable to consolidate their lead and heavy Capitals pressure told with three minutes left as Jared Staal shot high into the net after a goalmouth scramble for his second of the game.

Storm started overtime on the back foot after Darian Dziurzynski picked up a penalty on the buzzer, but after navigating a successful penalty kill were unable to find a way past Fullerton.

Vorobyev opened Edinburgh’s account in the shoot-out but Mario Trabucco cleverly finished low to tie the game up. However, in sudden death Vorobyev strode past a stricken Clemente to give the Capitals the advantage and Fullerton shut down Trabucco’s second attempt to seal the win.

Next weekend Storm travel to Nottingham Panthers on Saturday 1st October for a League and cup game. Stormforce coach travel is available.

On Sunday  (2nd Oct) roses rivals the Sheffield Steelers visit the Storm Shelter for a challenge cup match (5,30pm), with Storm out to avenge an opening day 4-6 defeat in the reverse fixture. This fixture promises to be high octane as all the “War Of The Roses” games tend to be, so don’t miss out and get your tickets NOW!

HIGHLIGHTS: 

TICKETS: The Go Goodwin’s Manchester Storm are back in action this Sunday 2nd October with a “War Of The Roses” Challenge Cup match against the Sheffield Steelers. Face off is at 5.30pm and tickets can be ordered online or by calling the box office on 0161 926 8782, or in person at the box office.