Storm cut gap on playoffs to seven points

Photo: Mark Ferris

Manchester Storm took advantage of Dundee Stars' defeat to cut the gap on the playoff places to seven points with a 6-2 win over Fife Flyers in front of 2,037 fans at the Storm Shelter.

The league’s two basement sides were tied at one through 20 minutes in Altrincham thanks to a tale of two powerplay goals.

The Flyers went ahead off Kieran Craig's shot through a screen that beat David Tendeck blocker side at 9:50. However, Joe Morrow was all alone in the slot at 11:19 to level the scores. Ryan Hughes had the best other chance of the period, coming in for a one-timer that Owen stopped.

Special teams again led to the next goal, but not the way the Flyers would have hoped for. Owen Griffiths’ neat drop pass set up Tyler Hinam for a top-corner, shorthanded goal 7:19 into period two to put the Storm ahead. Craig Martin made it 3-1 at 34:37 with a low shot past Owen on the rush. The Flyers goalie then made an excellent snow-angel save to prevent Martin making it four before the break.

The Flyers were caught out shorthanded again 6:26 into period three when Jake Durflinger fed Loren Ulett for a back-post deflection to make it 4-1 to the hosts. That goal came on the same play as an incredible David Tendeck diving save with his stick! 

While Daniel Krenželok got the Flyers back to within two at 54:31, goals from Alexis D'Aoust and Cam Critchlow 31 seconds apart put six on the board for the Storm as they closed the game out.