Storm stay unbeaten on road, end Devils' perfect start
Photo: James Assinder
Manchester Storm continued their unbeaten road start with a third straight win away from home, beating Cardiff Devils 6-5 after overtime.
Storm started brightly at another sold-out Vindico Arena, finding themselves two up inside seven minutes. Grant Herbert got their opener on an odd-man rush, electing to shoot from the circle past Ben Bowns. at 5:45. That was followed 27 seconds later by Stephen Johnson picking up a loose puck in front of Bowns and slotting home after the Devils turned the puck over trying to break out of their own zone.
Tyler Busch pulled one back for the Devils 87 seconds into period two, but by 24:25 the Storm were back two ahead as neat passing from Alex D'Aoust and Noah Carroll set up Jake Durflinger for an easy finish. Loren Ulett, who would be a big factor in the game on, was found open at the far post by Craig Martin to put the visitors 4-1 up at 30:33, on the powerplay before Joey Martin pulled one back for the Devils just over a minute later.
Storm went 5-2 up early in the third through Jow Morrow which seemed to give them a lead they could defend out. However, the game changed at 47:50. Reid Duke's goal stood despite Storm protests, although it appeared that Ryan Barrow was pushed into Evan Weninger by one of his own defenseman. However, it was what followed the goal that changed the momentum of the game. Ulett was ejected for a slash on Barrow while he was on the floor, plus called for roughing, giving the Devils seven minutes of powerplay time to turn things around.
They obliged. Two Cole Sanford powerplay goals brought the Devils back level by 53:03, enough to secure them a point.
There was more drama to come though as the Devils were assessed a faceoff violation minor inside the final 15 seconds of the game. While Storm didn’t score before the end of regulation, they did in overtime - Ryan Hughes' shot being saved by Bowns but only as far as Herbert to win it for Storm 83 seconds into bonus hockey.
