This weekend just gone saw your Go Goodwins sponsored Manchester Storm battle conference rivals, the Braehead Clan, at the Storm Shelter for the first time, before heading down south to take on the Coventry Blaze in Elite Ice Hockey League action.

On Saturday the 21st, the Storm welcomed the Braehead Clan to the Storm Shelter for the first time this season. The Clan, who had beaten the Storm a few weeks earlier in Glasgow, were looking to change things around from the previous weekend – which saw them take 0 points from their games again the Sheffield Steelers and Coventry Blaze. The game started out extremely well for the Go Goodwin sponsored Manchester Storm, as they pushed hard for the opening goal. It only took 1:16 for the Storm to score – but what a beauty it was, roofed to the top of the net by Luke Salazar for his 12th of the season. Less than a minute later, David Phillips – returning from injury, grabbed his 6th of the season, off of a lovely pass from Patrik Valcak. The Clan, despite being shaken, were far from out of the game and just after the 7th minute of play halved the deficit. Valcak, not content with a point from the assist to D Phillips, pushed hard for his own goal and just after the 10min mark restored the Storm’s 2 goal lead. Vinny Scarsella added another to the Storm tally less than 40 seconds later – while a man down! After 10:53 minutes of play, the Storm were 4-1 up over the Braehead Clan. The Clan however were regrouped and with 19minutes played in the 1st, scored their 2nd of the night to reduce the Storm’s lead to 2. the second period saw the play go from end to end, with both sides making huge efforts to net another goal. 33 seconds into the 3rd saw the Storms lead cut to 1 and the Clan came out flying in the 3rd, scoring 2 well taken goals, plus an empty net goal, to take the 2 points. Final Score: Manchester Storm 4-6 Braehead Clan

Sunday saw the Storm head south to the Coventry Blaze, with a large away following thanks to the Go Goodwins StormForce coach. Cheered on by their traveling fans, the Storm were able to get their name on the score sheet first, thanks to Paul Phillips, who pounced upon a loose puck infront of the Coventry net. Vinny Scarsella, less than a minute later put the Storm 2-0 up in the 1st. Coventry were able to pull one back 4 minutes into the 2nd period, and while on the powerplay, but Matt Caria restored the Storm’s 2 goal lead 2 minutes later – off of another good team effort. Scarsella, who was having one of the best games of his season so far, pushed hard and scored his 2nd of the night & 12th of the season to put the Storm 4-1 up just before the halfway mark. The 3rd period started off with the Blaze pillng shot after shot onto Zane Kalemba in the Storm net. Despite some heroics, and season highlight saves, the Blaze were able to score their second of the night just after 2minutes in the 3rd. Pacha’s men however were determined to not have a repeat of the previous nights collaps and less than 2 minutes later, Matt Sisca scored – unassisted – to send the Storm fans wild as they were 5-2 up. A momentary laps in concentration saw the Blaze pull one back while while shorthanded, but the Storm were able to keep their wits about them and finish the job. Final score: Coventry Blaze 3-5 Manchester Storm