Storm take crucial points away in Belfast

Storm cut the deficit to two points in the race for the final playoff spot

Belfast Giants v Manchester Storm

The Storm made an electric start to the game, opening the scoring after 27 seconds. Cam Critchlow played the puck across to Alexis d'Aoust, who finished well past McCollum to open the scoring. 

David Goodwin got the Giants level at 5:31. JJ Piccinich picked out Goodwin in the slot. Goodwin got his shot off, which hit the shoulder of Tendock but managed to creep in to get the Giants an equaliser.

The Storm regained their lead, with a second goal from D'Aoust. A long-range strike took a small deflection but was enough to beat McCollum and restore their one goal advantage at 13:26.

It was a scrappy period with few chances. However, both netminders were forced into a couple of big saves. Neither team could take advantage on the powerplay as the period ended with the Storm still a goal ahead.

It was a dominant start to the period from the Giants. However, they couldn't capitalise on their chances. The Storm took full advantage of this as a mistake from Galambos allowed D'Aoust to grab his hat trick as he buried the puck past McCollum from the slot at 45:08.

The Giants had opportunities through Hanson, Conway, and Piccinich but couldn't find a goal to half the deficit.

The Storm were then able to extend their lead thanks to Johnson winning the puck back and playing it across to Tyler Hinam, who finished well past McCollum at 56:44.

Craig Martin grabbed a fifth for Manchester into an empty net at 58:40 to top off an excellent performance from the Storm.

After his hat trick, d’Aoust commented on the win and wanting to see more of the same next week from his side:

‘I feel like we needed this, a win on the road, it'll be a good laugh on the way home. A good week of practice and we'll hopefully be able to carry it on.’