Ginn shuts out Panthers

Photo: Mark Ferris

Matt Ginn stopped all 21 shots he faced to help the Manchester Storm to a four-goal shutout win in front of a sold-out crowd of 1,986 fans in Altrincham.

It was a tight game throughout at the Storm Shelter, with both goalies making good last-ditch saves when called upon.

Manchester went ahead at 11:24 in the first period. Austin Albrecht forced a turnover in the Panthers' zone but couldn't carry on the play due to a broken stick. However, the puck eventually broke kindly to Tayler Thompson who shot past Kevin Carr to open the scoring.

Storm continued to have the better of the scoring chances in period two as the Panthers gradually got more going. The visitors were indebted to Carr on several occasions, but more so to Josh Tetlow who's clearance off the line kept things at a one-goal game.

With 1:33 left in the period, Cam Critchlow's wrist-shot through on Carr beat the goalie low and put the Strom two ahead heading into the third.

Carr was again called upon to make a series of smart stops to keep the Panthers within two during the opening ten minutes of period three. His side did well to kill off almost two full minutes of a Storm 5-on-3 powerplay, but under a minute after the teams were at full strength a scramble in front of the net saw the Storm go three up. Matthew Myer's attempted clearance in the crease hit his own player on the way out, and the puck dropped kindly for Tyson Fawcett to put into the empty cage.

Adam Brady found the empty net from his own zone with 4:57 to play to put the Panthers to bed, and earn the Storm a win which sends them fourth in the table.

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