The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze’s late fightback wasn’t enough to overcome a first period to forget, as the Manchester Storm claimed a 4-2 victory in Elite League action at Planet Ice Altrincham.
Blaze Head Coach Kevin Moore opted to start Dershahn Stewart in net, giving Mat Robson the night off, while the Storm went with Evan Weninger between the pipes.
Despite Blaze enjoying early pressure and a powerplay opportunity, it was the home side who struck first. At 6.26, British forward Rais Francis opened his professional account for Manchester, assisted by Harrison Caines.
Francis then turned provider, setting up former Blaze forward J.D. Dudek to double the Storm’s lead at 10.26. Coventry’s woes deepened right before the first intermission, as Brandon Cutler made it 3-0 with just two seconds left in the period.
The Storm continued to press in the second, and just past the midway point (29.26), their leading scorer Gary Haden added a fourth, assisted by Nick Welsh and Brady Gilmour.
Manchester came close to a fifth during consecutive powerplays in the third period, hitting the post, but Blaze finally found a spark in the closing stages. With 5.51 remaining, Sam Ruffin broke Weninger’s shutout bid, firing home from Connor Russell and Grant Mismash.
Just 15 seconds later, Blaze Man of the Match Matthew Gleason was rewarded for his tireless effort, capitalising on a powerplay rebound from a Russell shot to make it 4-2.
Coventry pressed hard in the final minutes and came close to reducing the deficit further, striking the bar, but time ran out and the Storm held on for the two points.
Photo credit: Mark Ferriss
