MATCH REPORT: Storm sunk by late goals

ELITE SERIES: Manchester Storm take on the Sheffield Steelers in the final game of the regular Elite Series season at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. Buy the webcast HERE! Face-off is 19:00 Sunday 25th April.

Starting in net was Owen for Blaze, against Bonar for Storm, while Haywood was scratched to make way for Gulliver. 

It was all to play for in the penultimate game of the Elite Series regular season for Storm, with just three points separating Storm and Steelers in the Elite Series table.

First period

Storm came out strong when the they were gifted a powerplay early on  when Bryhnisveen received a tripping penalty at 01:02.

Sullivan was handed an unfortunate penalty for tripping at 04:44. Venus capitalised on the powerplay at 06:32, on the back post of Bonar, via a pass from Edvardsen.

Plenty of pressure from Storm came in the final five minutes, but Owen was able to maintain his shut out. 

Storm drew a tripping penalty against Shudra at 18:26 but it was Keck who scored short handed, when he picked up a loose puck at 19:01 assisted by Bryhnisveen.

Second period 

Storm picked up the pace in the second period, hoping to close the 2-0 scoreline.

Ehrhardt received a tripping penalty at 23:29 and Critchlow for slashing at 24:06, but Storm kept the scoreline down on a 5on3 penalty kill. 

It was the halfway mark when Storm struck. A skilled and patient play from Ehrhardt through the defenceman saw the captain score the first goal for Storm, unassisted at 29:46.

Following a strong powerplay when Shudra was sent to the box for slashing (30:57) Lundell Noer levelled the game, shooting short side on a pass from Klavestad at 33:47.

Blaze went on the powerplay when Klavestad, desperate to stop any goals on a 2on1, wound up on a tripping call at 37:00.

Lake finished taking the puck low blocker side past Owen short handed, taking Storm up by a goal at 38:59.

captain, ehrhardt scores for manchester storm photo by mark ferriss all sports photography
Captain, Ehrhardt scores for Storm – Photo by Mark Ferriss (All Sports Photography)

Third period

Edvardsen tied the game for Blaze, when he shot far side past Bonar at the halfway mark in the third, assisted by Laakkonen at 49:35.

Venus drew a penalty on a breakaway, when Hazeldine executed the perfect defensive play, accidentally taking Venus down in the process at 51:44.

Clements scored on Blaze’s powerplay, sneaking his way through the defence and taking his side up by one at 53:00.

Keck scored his second goal of the game on a pass from Hammond at 54:44.

Bonar was pulled in final two mins for an extra skater, but it was Keck who scored a hat trick, sending the puck into an empty net in the final eight seconds.

ELITE SERIES: Manchester Storm take on the Sheffield Steelers in the final game of the regular Elite Series season at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. Buy the webcast HERE! Face-off is 19:00 Sunday 25th April.