Weekend Roundup: Storm put out the Blaze

The Go Goodwins sponsored Manchester Storm came from behind three times on Saturday the 17th against the Coventry Blaze to win 6-4, before falling on the road to the Dundee Stars 5-1.

On the Saturday, the Coventry Blaze were coming to the Storm Shelter hot off a weekend full of goals as they beat the Belfast Giants 2-1 on the road the previous Saturday, before allowing the Giants to inflict revenge at their home on the Sunday, loosing 8-10.

The Manchester Storm started the game in 2nd gear, allowing the Coventry Blaze to control the puck for a vast majority of the period. With 13 minutes gone in the first, and on the power play, Cowley of the Blaze was the first to score, grabbing his second of the season. The Blaze continued to push forward, but were thankfully met by Storm netminder Zane Kalemba in front of the net, who limited the damage in the first to a score 0-1 to the Blaze. The second period started much better for the Storm, who finally settled into rhythm. With just under a minute and a half gone in the second, Davy Phillips, who had been in the penalty box, was able to get behind the Blaze defence and head towards the Blaze net on a breakaway, before scoring the equalising goal. This scoreline however wasn’t to last long, as 20 seconds later the Blaze, thanks to a beauty of a goal by Venus, were back ahead 1-2. Half way through the 2nd, Matty “Captain Fantastic” Davies grabbed his first of the season, and second of the night for the Manchester Storm to tie the game up again at 2-2. The Blaze however fought back tooth and nail, and with less than 5 minutes to go before the end of the second, scored to regain the lead 2-3, thanks to Venus grabbing his second of the night.

The third began with the Storm flying and less than a minute into the period, Patrik Valcak scored to level the game 3-3. The Storm began to ware downBlaze, and 9 minutes into the period, Canadian Grant Toulmin, scored his 5th of the season to send the Storm into the lead for the first time in the game, 4-3. Less than a minute later, Vinny Scarsella, scored sending the Storm 5-3 up. The Blaze however were far from being done, and with less than 5 to go in the third scored thanks to a shot by Tait to make it a one goal game. Feeling they could force overtime, the Blaze pulled netminder Stewart from the goal to give them an extra attacker… but fell foul to the double edged sword and allowed Grant Toulmin to score his 2nd of the night into an empty net, and to send the Storm Shelter wild! Final score, Manchester Storm 6-4 Coventry Blaze.

Sunday saw the Go Goodwin Manchester Storm head to Scotland to take on the Elite Leagues most northernly team, the Dundee Stars. The Storm had faved the Stars previously in the season, a 7-2 loss at home, but were hopping to take the winning attitude from the night before up with them to the Dundee Ice Arena.

The game plan unfortunately didn’t pay off as the Stars were able to capitalise upon the tired Storm, having played 3 games in 4 days, and be 3-0 up before the Storm got on the board thanks to Matt Caria’s shot in the 3rd. The Stars continued to take advance of the tied Storm and won 5-1.

This weekend see’s the Manchester Storm go pink when they take on the Fife Flyers on Saturday, as they #PinkTheRink for The Christie in aid of Cancer Awareness, before heading over to rivals The Sheffield Steelers on the Sunday. Get your tickets today from the BOX OFFICE on 08700-852-929 or online via www.manchesterstorm.com. Bring your friends, family & work colleagues along and introduce them to the fastest sport on the planet!! #Storm