StormCast Episode 23: Critch prepares for Fife threat on Wednesday

Storm head coach Cameron Critchlow says his team are in a good place after two good performances at the weekend which led to Saturday’s victory at Sheffield Steelers.

Next up for Manchester is the visit by Fife Flyers for some Wednesday night hockey and a chance to build on that 3-1 success at the Utilita Arena on Saturday.

But Critchlow is fully aware of the threat a resurgent Flyers carry after seeing them pick up some good results so far this season.

“They’re a really, hard working team and they’re good at what they do,” he said on the latest episode of StormCast. “Tim had done a great job at that club and they’ll roll four lines over the boards the whole game.

“He’ll want to keep them as fresh as possible with as much pace as they can and that’s probably one of their strengths right now without doubt.

“You know they’ll give you a game and they’ll play the right way.  You’re going to have to go in there and beat them.  They won’t give you opportunities so you have to earn everything you get.

“With that being said, I’m really happy with the way we’re playing too at the moment.  We just need to keep the good winning feeling going.  The guys are feeling good right now and getting the points are the most important thing.”

Critchlow also reflected on a weekend that saw mixed results for the Storm, beating Sheffield in Sheffield on Saturday after Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Steelers at the AO Arena.

And he was particularly pleased at the response of his players in reaction to Friday’s defeat.

“I felt it was a good weekend with Sheffield,” he added. “It was two good hockey games where both teams came ready to play over the 120 minutes.

“We were unlucky not to get anything out of the home game on Friday.  We certainly played well enough to win in all three zones and had some opportunities we would have liked to have buried.

“But it was an excellent response the following day.  It’s not an easy thing to do after a tough home loss, where you’re trying to quieten that home crowd.

“Overall I was really happy with the effort in both games and happy for the guys to get that one on the board on Saturday.”

By: Craig Anderson