Storm Stage Stunning Late Comeback to Earn a Point Against Belfast Giants

Manchester Storm returned to home ice on Sunday after battling their way to a valuable Challenge Cup point in Guildford the previous evening, only to be denied the bonus point in a dramatic penalty shootout. Awaiting them was another stern test, as Critchlow's men prepared to lock horns with the reigning Elite League champions, the Belfast Giants.

A somewhat scrappy and nervous start characterised the opening stages, with no real chances on goal at either end of the ice. DeRidder was called into action at the ten-minute mark, making an athletic, highlight-reel save to deny a Giants forward. The game opened up not long after when Gilmour's backhand pass found Maksimovich in the slot, who fired an accurate shot past Kupsky in the Giants' net. The power-play goal coming at 12:48. The visitors struck back almost immediately (14:11) when Nicolas Guay, who had been sitting out the high-sticking penalty, made amends with a fine finish after good build-up play from Lee and Kawaguchi. Storm thought they had made it 2-1 with 1:40 remaining in the first period, but a video review showed that Karlsson's bar-down effort did not fully cross the goal line.

The hosts had the better scoring opportunities during the early exchanges of period number two. It was however the Giants who got a fortuitous go-ahead goal as a pass from behind the goal line from Patrick Guay somehow ended up trickling through DeRidder's leg pads at 26:08. A third followed at 30:32, scored by defenceman Prefontaine whose long-range shot sailed past DeRidder - a goal that was cleared on review from the referees to make it 3-1 in favour of the Giants. A lead which was carried into the second intermission following a spirited period of hockey.

The Storm turned up the pressure early on in the final third creating some good forechecking plays. Unfortunately for the home fans it was Belfast who increased their advantage at 46:25, through Conway as the puck fell kindly after DeRidder had got a stick on the initial cross-crease pass. Storm got one back at 51:56 when an excellent short saucer pass from McGauley found Maksimovich in the face-off circle who skilfully stick handled round Kupsky to make it a two-goal game. Storm continued to knock on the Giants door with sustained offensive zone play, coming close on several occasions during a powerplay with five minutes remaining in the game. DeRidder was pulled to the bench in the final moments in favour of an extra skater. The gamble paid off in extraordinary fashion as late goals from Gilmour and Karlsson levelled the game at 4-4 with just seconds remaining. The resulting overtime period went in the Giants favour who gained the extra league point.

By: Kristian Stokwisz