A pre-Christmas treat was enjoyed by all inside a near-capacity Storm Shelter, as the middle game of the hosts’ three-match homestand went all the way to penalties, with Manchester besting the Dundee Stars 3–2.

A trademark Dow power-play marker opened the night’s scoring in the seventh minute. The long-term Stars captain skated across the blue line before flicking his effort into the roof of DeRidder’s goal. The hosts restored parity before the end of the period, profiting from a man-advantage of their own. A well-directed effort from Ergang was helped on its way by Nardi, who squared proceedings with just over a minute remaining in the opening twenty.

The second stanza was again evenly contested, with Manchester and Dundee going toe-to-toe in search of an edge. It took a fine piece of hockey from Caines to give the Storm their first lead of the match in the 33rd minute. The second-year pro showed excellent awareness, reading the carom off the end boards to collect the puck and tee up Dudek on the doorstep for a simple one-touch finish just outside the goaltender’s paint. A final flash of attacking action favoured the Stars, as Naas found himself unmarked in the zone, but a sharp flash of the pads from DeRidder ensured his side took a one-goal lead into the final period.

An unfortunate defensive howler from Locke at the back for the Storm gifted Dundee a game-levelling second in the 49th minute. The veteran blueliner attempted to wheel behind his own net before losing control of the puck, presenting Nieminen with what was potentially his easiest goal of the season. The final scoring chance of regulation fell to the hosts, as a rushing Gilmour showed excellent speed and hands to fashion a chance on the penalty kill, but Friske tracked the puck well to shut the door in the 56th minute.

The ensuing bonus period was, without question, one of the most entertaining five-minute overtimes seen anywhere in the league. The iron was struck on four separate occasions. Hannoun was first to find the metalwork with an ambitious effort in the second minute of overtime. Moments later, an Ergang attempt rattled out from the underside of the bar, before visiting forward Nieminen also struck iron. Finally, in the dying embers of overtime, a sharp-angled effort from Nardi ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar.

The penalty shootout was opened by a nifty Hannoun deke and finish, before the netminders combined to repel seven consecutive attempts. The decisive penalty shot fell to Dudek, whose forehand-backhand move created just enough room beyond Friske to secure both points for the Storm.

Words by: Callum Schora