Ryan’s goal makes Storm’s weekend of wins more special
AFTER another maximumpoint weekend with wins over Guildford and away to Belfast, Manchester Storm play again tonight in the Elite League game against Coventry Blaze, who were dismantled a couple of weeks ago 9-1 at the Storm Shelter.
A milestone was created last Sunday evening in Belfast when Ryan Trenz slotted home Storm’s fifth goal.
The score was the 500th goal in the English Ice Hockey League since Storm reformed.
Commenting on last weekend’s action, head coach Ryan Finnerty said, “To win back-to-back games was excellent but to win in Belfast was very special to us as a team as they don’t lose many games at home.
“We have won 10 of our past 12 games and are really looking to finish the season on a high for our dedicated fans and sponsors.
“We are one of the best attacking sides in the league and going forward we are making all our opponents take note.”
The games are coming thick and fast and this weekend Storm don’t have a home game as they travel to play Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday evening before facing Guildford on Sunday.
The next home game at the Storm Shelter in Altrincham after tonight’s game is on Saturday, February 25, when league leaders and title favourites Cardiff Devils are the visitors.
Storm inflicted a 6-1 defeat on Cardiff away from home back in September and Finnerty is all too aware of the threat the Devils possess.
“We will have a big bonus for that night in that my captain and inspirational leader Jay Rosehill will be available again after his fivegame suspension,” said Finnerty.
“The game against the Devils will be a big test for us and hopefully the fans will turn up in big numbers for what should be one of the games of the season.”
The Academy at Storm is growing in numbers every week and the youngsters, some as young as six, are coached weekly by former GB International Mark Thomas and other dedicated coaches, along with Storm first-teamers including skipper Jay Rosehill.
The Academy is something that Finnerty is passionate about at the club.
He said: “It’s great to see these youngsters playing and being coached.
“Many of those we coach have great potential and hopefully some will make it all the way to the first-team squad one day. “
Next month Manchester Storm and their loyal fans face a logistical nightmare with two away games in two days.
The geography on this sees Storm playing away at Cardiff Devils on Friday, March 2, and then less than 24 hours later they play away at Fife Flyers in Scotland – a mere 890 miles in two days.
Finnerty said: “It’s a long weekend coming up but we are fortunate that our main sponsor, Wes Goodwin of GoGoodwins, supplies us with a great coach for the players to relax in during the journey.”