Storm keeper saves the day as Devils are sent packing

MANCHESTER Storm went into the weekend game having won their nine previous games.

Their opponents on Saturday at The Storm Shelter in Altrincham were league leaders Cardiff Devils, and it attracted a capacity crowd, which included many first-timers keen to experience ice hockey.

Storm won 3-1 thanks to goals from Matt Stanisz, Dane Byers and Ciaran Long. Cardiff were awarded a goal late on despite the officials initially disallowing the score.

Star man on the night was Storm net minder Mike Clemente, who stopped an amazing 41 shots.

On Sunday Storm made the 200-mile coach journey to take on Guildford for the third time in as many weeks.

The game was part of the Conference, and as well as league points being at stake, Storm were hoping to beat the Elite League newcomers to try and win the Conference title.

Flames were smarting not only from a sudden-death shoot-out against Storm the previous weekend, but also a defeat to lowly Coventry Blaze last Saturday.

Storm lost 4-1, but coach Ryan Finnerty paid tribute to his players.

He said: “To win ten games on the trot is amazing and in those victories were wins in Belfast and Sheffield (the club’s first ever since re-forming) and a good win over run-away leaders Cardiff Devils.

“The team’s performance was rewarded with a sell-out crowd last weekend and, hopefully, we can sell out every game in March to wrap our season up. What the team have done this season is very special.

“We may be one of the smaller budget teams in the Elite League but we are growing all the time and Manchester Storm is fast becoming the ‘hottest ticket in town’ for people to support.”

Storm hit the road this weekend with two games that couldn’t be further apart.

Cardiff away on Friday night is followed by Fife away on Saturday and the journeys alone are bound to test the stamina and resilience of the Storm players.

On March 10, Storm entertain Fife Flyers at the Storm Shelter.

Any fans wanting to book or find out about the pricing and availability should email dave@storm-office.com.