The Storm weren’t spooked by the visiting Fife Flyers, working out 5–1 winners to keep up their spectacular league type and return to the summit of the EIHL.
A pricey defensive turnover from Fife handed the hosts the opening aim of the sport. Canadian marksman Gilmour confirmed off his silky fingers with a stunning backhand–forehand deke in shut, ending neatly within the fifth minute of play. Nevertheless, the hosts’ lead shortly evaporated as Fife transformed on their first energy play of the night time. Membership captain Hunt was afforded an excessive amount of time and house within the zone, and the skilled ahead completed effectively over DeRidder. A fortuitous bobble of the puck restored the Storm’s one-goal benefit, with Johnson displaying glorious consciousness to pounce on the unfastened puck and ship Manchester into the intermission 2–1 forward.
The center twenty minutes had been performed in relative parity, with each side largely cancelling one another out earlier than many clear scoring probabilities had been created. One notable second got here when Owen produced an amazing windmilling glove save to disclaim Nardi within the thirty third minute. Moments later, Somoza had an excellent shorthanded alternative however couldn’t fairly flip the puck into the empty internet on the again publish.
The hosts doubled their lead early within the remaining stanza, as Haden teed up Gilmour with a ravishing cross-ice move on a 2-on-1 break for his second of the night time within the forty second minute. A well-worked Storm energy play all however iced the competition as Cutler arrange Busby to attain on the again door. Just some minutes later, a defensive mix-up from Fife allowed blueliner Clavelle to skate in unobstructed and fireplace excessive over Owen’s glove for his first skilled aim.
With lower than 5 minutes to play and a four-goal cushion, the Storm comfortably noticed out one other deserved league victory.
Phrases by: Callum Schora
Picture: Mark Ferris
