The Belfast Giants arrived in Manchester in top form having won their last seven league games. Storm were looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Sheffield last night.

An end to end opening ten minutes saw chances for both sides but strong goal tending killed any early markers. Caines would come close on a breakaway, forcing a spectacular double save from Whistle – stopping the shot with his pads and following up with a behind the back glove save. Not long after Caines played an accurate pass to the far post for Ehrhardt to tap in to the empty net, putting the Storm up by one. With two minutes remaining in the period the Giants equalised with a somewhat fortunate goal as the puck flicked up and lobbed a stranded DeRidder. Bast being awarded the goal assisted by Conway.

Belfast took the lead two minutes in to the middle period. An unfortunate turnover at the blueline was picked up by Lake who played a smart cross crease pass to Brandon Whistle who cooly slotted home. Storm’s penalty killing unit held strong killing two late penalties meaning the score remained 2-1 heading in to an important final third.

A determined Storm wasted no time to level the game at 2-2 just a couple of minutes after the restart. A long-range effort from Cutler sailed through traffic and beat an unsighted Whistle with helpers on the play from Clavelle and Gilmour. Two delay of game penalties against the visitors offered the Storm a big opportunity to take the lead with the two-man advantage, but despite pinning the Giants in their own zone no goal was forthcoming. The tempo increased in the final minutes of regulation and despite some good looks on net neither team could find a winner. Meaning the contest was extended in to sudden death overtime. The Shelter erupted at the midpoint of the extra period as Ulett sliced open the Giant’s defence with some silky skating and finished emphatically securing valuable league points for the Storm.

Words by: Kristian Stokwisz