Weekend Roundup: A show of force

This weekend just gone saw your Go Goodwins sponsored Manchester Storm head to Wales to take on the Cardiff Devils on Saturday the 7th, before heading back to the Storm Shelter on Sunday the 8th, to take on the Belfast Giants in Elite Ice Hockey League action. 
 
Saturday saw the Go Goodwin sponsored Manchester Storm take the long drive down to the Welsh capital as they looked to snap the Cardiff Devils 11 game unbeaten run at home, and continue their own run of wins. The Storm were without Davy Phillips (injured) and Devin DiDiomete (Paperwork), however they had called up Jarad Dickinson from the Altrincham Aces again after his fantastic performance against the Coventry Blaze the previous week. The game started out slow for the Storm, who were 1-0 down after 3 minutes thanks to a goal by the Devils Josh Batch. The Storm then picked up the pace and began to play an outstanding game of hockey for the remainder of the first period, and were ultimatly rewarded for their efforts as Luke Salazar scored off of one of the most unique assists from Jarad Dickinson the league has probably ever seen. The second period however saw the Devils go 4-1 up thanks to 3 unanswered goals by the Devils. The third period saw the Storm pull one back thanks to Vinny Scarsella bagging his 9th of the season. Despite a 6 minute period of 5-on-3 and a goal that mysteriously wasn’t awarded, the Storm continued to fight until the very last second of the game. The Devils were able to restore their 3 goal lead off of an empty netter, but alas, the game was over and done. Final score, Cardiff Devils 5-2 Manchester Storm.

Sunday saw Belfast Giants, GM Neil Russell’s old team, head to the Storm Shelter for the first time this season. The previous night had seen the Giants fall 4-3 to the Nottingham Panthers in a fist affair. The Storm took to the ice with passion and speed in the 1st, and were once again rewarded for their efforts thanks to a beauty of a goal by new defenceman #43 Ricards Birzinsh after just 3 minutes of play. The first was all Storm and Giants keeper Murphy had to call on all his goaltending expertise to ensure the Storm didn’t double their lead. The beginning of the second however saw lady luck change sides, and the Giants were able to level things up after only 41 seconds of play, thanks to a power play goal by Colin Shields. The rest of the second, and all of the third was then end to end hockey with shots coming from all directions at the two keepers. The Giants and Storm both looked equally tired on the ice by the end of the third, and the game went into sudden-death overtime. After 5minutes of 4-on-4 play, and with no goal, both teams got ready for penalty shots. It took 9 rounds for someone to eventually to score past either keeper, who both deserved the Man of the Match awards for their performances, but Mike Radja of the Giants was able to slot past Zane in the Storm goal and give the Giants the extra point. Final Score, Manchester Storm 1-2 Belfast Giants, after penalty shots.

This week the Manchester Storm are on the road to start with, with a trip to the Fife Flyer on Saturday the 14th, before returning home to take on the Cardiff Devils on Sunday the 15th at 5pm. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased via the website, box office, or on the day.