Storm win through in Play-In game

Photos: Scott Wiggins

Manchester Storm are the final team through to the Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals after coming through the one-off 'Play-In' game live on FreeSports on Wednesday night.

Manchester had a perfect first period on the road, not conceding and putting in two goals of their own to take a commanding lead. Adam Hughesman pounced on a rebound at 12:31 to put the visitors ahead, and then fired home from the circle to double that lead just shy of two minutes later.

Coventry improved in period two and got themselves back in the game at 33:49 – with David Broll screening Matt Ginn Matt Pohlkamp put home the rebound from the slot. Johnny Curran almost tied the game as the clock ran down but fired just over. Coventry tied the game with a Drew Schiestel shot from the point 3:19 into the third, making it anyone’s game.

With qualification on the line, both sides had chances to go ahead but the clock ticked down towards overtime. Layne Ulmer was however the Storm’s hero, scoring from the point with Jamie Phillips out of position with two minutes to go. A late Coventry powerplay gave the Blaze a chance to level the game, but the Storm held on to take the win!