An evenly contested Challenge Cup encounter between familiar foes Manchester and Guildford saw the hosts take a 3–2 decision in overtime.

In now almost inevitable fashion, the Storm flew out of the gate and grabbed the first goal of the game. A big rebound offered up by Fazio was quickly converted by a well-positioned Haden after the Flames netminder spilled the initial effort from Johnson. After just 29 seconds, the Storm found themselves one to the good and pressed hard through the remainder of the period to double the slenderest of leads. Then, totally against the run of play, a moment of brilliance from Gosselin saw him complete a wonderful toe drag and fire into the roof of the Storm net to draw Guildford level with just over a minute remaining.

The game-levelling goal by the visitors noticeably affected the game’s momentum through the middle stanza, as the Flames hemmed the hosts into their defensive zone for the vast majority of the ensuing twenty minutes of action. However, a solid effort from the Storm’s defensive corps prevented Guildford from taking the lead they perhaps deserved from the pressure created.

Both sides began the third period with a man each in the penalty box, and the additional space on the ice led to an early goal for the visitors. Just as the minor penalty elapsed for Guildford, Brown expertly found Gosselin on the one-timer from the left face-off dot, and his second of the match whistled in over the blocker of DeRidder. A moment of ill-discipline from Coughler saw him further restrict his side on the penalty kill, as an unsportsmanlike conduct minor handed Storm a golden 5-on-3 power-play opportunity. The ensuing double man advantage for the hosts was converted from the sharp angle by Haden, with the helper going to Ergang after some patient build-up play by Manchester. Moments later, a highlight-reel glove save from Fazio denied the Storm from retaking the lead, as Caines’ one-time effort was miraculously snaffled by the Flames netminder in the 49th minute to maintain parity for his side. The final minute of regulation saw Ergang miss a tap-in at the back post, as an unfortunate bobble of the puck saw it skip over his stick before he could make proper contact. The Storm forward then, seconds later, headed into the box in a nightmarish phase of play for the otherwise impressive young Canadian.

The overtime power-play opportunity for Guildford came and went with very little net-front pressure created. Then, at the other end of the ice, Fazio pulled off another great save from within his crease, this time denying Johnson on the doorstep. However, the very next attack proved to be the game’s last, as Busby snuck one through the wickets of Fazio from a tight angle to extend the Storm’s win streak to five and keep their hopes of Challenge Cup knockout stage qualification alive.

Words by: Callum Schora