Manchester Storm forward Dante Hannoun said he didn’t like sitting out on the sidelines – but was pleased to mark his return with a goal.

The 27-year-old missed two months through injury, finally making his return in Saturday’s 4-3defeat to Nottingham Panthers.

But he was quick to praise his linemates for helping get him back on the scoresheet when he netted Storm’s second against the Panthers.

“It felt great to be back playing,” he said. “It’s not easy watching from the side. You just want to be out there battling with your teammates so I’m excited to get things going again.

“It definitely felt good to get one in but it was an incredible sequence from Gilly (Brady Gilmour) and Cutsy (Brandon Cutler) to make those plays and I was fortunate to squeeze one by.”

Hannoun also took the time to look ahead to this weekend’s crunch play-off quarter final against the Panthers, where the winners will reach the finals weekend a week later.

The structure may be new to him, but it doesn’t change anything in terms of preparation and wants to go out and do it for the fans, who are set to sell out the Storm Shelter once more.

“It’s a new format for me but I don’t think the approach is any different from any other game,” he said. “All focus is on one game at a time and just try to keep building from each one.

“We played Nottingham twice last week and some things went on, but we’re going to stick to our systems and play for each other to give ourselves the best chance to win.

“As for the fans, ⁠I’m not sure if it can get any louder.  They’ve been incredible and we appreciate them so much.

“We’re going to go out there to battle for them and hopefully we can get the right result.”

By: Craig Anderson