Storm come back from two-down, earn shootout win
Photo: John Uwins
Manchester Storm fought back from two goals down in the final 15 minutes of the game before taking a win in a shootout at a sold-out venue in Guildford against the Flames.
"It's been a huge couple of games," said Storm's Harrison Cains, after their win in Guildford came off the back of beating Belfast Giants on Friday night. "I feel like we're right in the playoff mix now, and we have Dundee on Wednesday which gives us another look to try and get a four-point jump on them."
The Flames were wearing their retro jerseys paying homage to the team’s first ever season, accompanied by an excellent mix of retro music during the game. On the ice, the fans at the Spectrum were treated to a goal fest in the opening period.
Alexis D'Aoust was called for hooking just 15 seconds into the game, and the Flames needed just 28 more to open the scoring - Brett Ferguson tipping a Charlie Dodero shot in front of David Tendeck to make it 1-0. Stephen Johnson tied the game at 6:34 when was given too much space, while new Flames signing Zach Hoffman endeared himself to the home crowd when he dropped the gloves with Loren Ulett. Off the re-start, a long stretch pass sent Craig martin through on Eamon McAdam to put Storm 2-1 ahead with 13:33 played. Matt Alvaro's neat work in the slot levelled things at 17:03 with the third powerplay goal of the game, before Brett Welychka put the Flames ahead with 1:19 left in the period.
"It’s a bigger ice surface so there’s a little more room to do stuff, but it’s pretty quick and I thought it was a good game overall" said Flames debutant Hoffman in his first post-game interview.
The only goal of period two came 68 seconds after the restart when Welychka worked the puck out from behind the net to Lewis Hook for the finish in front. The Flames killed off three penalties in the period, and also hit a post as the clock ticked down.
Guildford almost let a lead slip last time the Flames were in town, but this time did see their two-goal advantage go – as indeed it did six nights ago at home to Sheffield Steelers.
“Our coach just told us to keep going, it’s a marathon not a sprint and we can keep plugging away in the third period. Start with one and get two, and the boys really dug in,” added Caines.
Noah Carroll's slapshot pulled one back for Storm with just under 15 minutes to go, while inside the final five minutes Caines tied the game up at four each. The Flames had the better of the chances in overtime but couldn't beat David Tendeck, who then went on to stop all five shots on him in the shootout. Alexis D'Aoust was the only scorer in 10 shots to win it for Storm.
