Storm edge Blaze in shootout

Photo: Mark Ferris

Manchester Storm's retro night was an enthralling game for the 1,941 fans in Altrincham, who saw just two goals across 65 minutes of hockey, before the hosts beat Coventry Blaze in a shootout.

The only goal of the opening period came quickly at the Storm Shelter. Just 26 seconds into the game, Joe Morrow's shot from the point went all the way through, off the iron-work, to put Manchester ahead. That turned out to be enough to have Storm ahead by the intermission, although the Blaze did well to prevent a second after Taran Kozun lost an edge - the visitors' getting bodies in front of the net to prevent a puck getting through.

There was only one goal in period two as well, and again it came early. 3:56 had been played in the second when Danny Kristo pulled a neat move to beat Evan Weninger high and tie the game. Coventry had the better of the chances over the period, but it ended with the teams all square.

Period three was no less tight than the two that had proceeded it, and both sides taking a point with the game game heading into overtime felt like a fair result. Both teams had late powerplays to try and win the game without success, although the Blaze's carried into overtime giving them 81 seconds of 4-on-3 to get the extra point. No goals in bonus hockey saw the game decided in a shootout. 

Tyler Hinam scored as his stick snapped on the shot to put Storm ahead in round three, but it took until Johnny Curran shooting in the final round to level the scores for the Blaze. In sudden death, Zack Phillips beat Kozun while JD Dudek couldn't get past Weninger for Manchester to take the win.