Blaze into second with win over Storm

Photo: Mark Ferris

Shane Owen made 52 saves as the Coventry Blaze moved into second with a hard-fought victory against the Manchester Storm on Thursday night.

An excellent finish from Mike Hammond, combining with Tristan Keck, put Coventry ahead less than four minutes into this tightly-contested affair, and just over five minutes later the Blaze would double their lead. C ole SHudra threw the puck on net, and a combination of bounces in the ensuing scramble saw the puck eventually slide over the goal-line. 

Two up down 20 minutes, the Storm's response came on the powerplay at 28:12 with Jacob Lundell Noer slotting home the rebound from Andreas Klavestad's shot. Coventry were back to ahead just shy of seven minutes later, however, with Keck this time getting the final touch on a loose puck in the crease.

Early in the third period, linesman Lee Young left the ice on a stretcher following a collision by the benches. He was taken straight to hospital.

Sam Duggan put Coventry 4-1 ahead just shy of the 49-minute mark, however Manchester were back within two through captain Dallas Ehrhardt 71 seconds later. A late Max Fortier goal with 1:12 to play set up a dramatic finish, and pressure from the Storm saw them run into Owen who put up the wall to record the Blaze's second victory in three games.

Gallery