Storm hold on for vital home win

Photo: Mark Ferris

Two powerplay goals helped the Manchester Storm secure a 4-3 victory over the Guildford Flames in the Premier Sports Elite league.

The Flames should have taken the lead in the opening minute but John Dunbar saw his breakaway shot easily saved by Jason Bacashihua. Jesper Alasaari was penalised for a slashing minor and the home side took full advantage. Adam Brady fired goalwards and Jared Vanwormer deflected the puck up and over Kevin Lindskoug to give the Storm the lead on 4:10.

Guildford struggled for controlled possession in the first period but were gifted an equaliser on 11:31. Owen Griffiths intercepted a loose pass in the slot and tucked the puck into the bottom corner. A tight contest looked to be heading to the break level until Cameron Critchlow sniped a wrist shot into the top corner with just over a minute remaining to reinstate Manchester's one-goal lead.

The back and forth nature continued with both sides creating plenty of chances and it only took three-minutes for the Flames to level again. Levi Cable collected the puck behind the goal-line and made a smart backhand pass to the centre of the crease for Brett Ferguson to tap into the net.

Lindskoug is one of the top performing goalies in the league - with a 93.03 save percentage - and he produced a stunning save halfway through the period to deny Vanwormer again, flashing a glove from point blank range. However the Storm continued to press and were rewarded with another powerplay goal. Alasaari was serving his second penalty of the night but was only sat for six seconds as Thompson scored his first league goal of the season with 4:55 left in the middle third.

The home side extended their lead 56 seconds into the final period when Brady squeezed a pin-point shot between Lindskoug and the post from a tight angle. The pace of this intense matchup slowed until Ian McNulty reduced the deficit to one with 2:29 to go as he poked the puck between Bacashihua’s legs.

Guildford pulled Lindskoug with 1:48 to go for the extra skater but were unable to force overtime as the Storm held firm to end a run of four straight defeats.

Gallery