Storm secure playoff place in Coventry

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Manchester Storm secured their place in the 2024 Playoffs with a 2-1 win over Coventry Blaze, their second in successive nights, but this time in regulation.

It was Retro Night in Coventry with both teams and the game officials in throwback jerseys, and it was veteran Zack Phillips who put the visitors ahead in the first period - a Dallas Ehrhardt pass across the crease reaching Phillips to open the scoring at 12:13. 

There were powerplay chances for both teams in period two before the next goal which went the way of the Storm. After a shot that hit the post, Michael Korol was credited with poking the puck over the goal line in Taran Kozun's crease. The officials conferred and awarded the goal on the ice, and with no review technology working in the Skydome the goal stood without review. 

The Blaze threw everything they had at the Storm in the final period but time and again came up against the wall that was Evan Weninger. Eventually, on a 5-on-3 advantage, Kobe Roth pulled one back with 4:25 to play. A timeout and six skaters for the final 97 seconds, the Blaze pushed for an equaliser but without success. The final shift of the game off a faceoff with 10 seconds to go saw them with five forwards and one defenseman on the ice, but Storm pinned the puck along the end boards to hold on for the win.