A depleted Genting Casino Coventry Blaze battled hard to claim a point on the road, but ultimately fell 3-2 in overtime to the Manchester Storm on Saturday night in the Elite League.
Blaze travelled to Altrincham without several key players, missing goaltender Mat Robson, defenceman Connor Russell, and forwards Grayson Constable and Artie Buzoverya. However, the roster was boosted by the welcome return of influential forward Alessio Luciani.
The visitors created the first major chance of the game when Jere Vertanen, fresh off a two-goal performance in the previous outing, rattled the crossbar behind Storm netminder Drew DeRidder. Moments later, Manchester threatened on a 2-on-1 breakout, but Blaze goalie Dershahn Stewart produced a sharp stop to keep the score level.
Coventry struck first at 8.52 when Grant Mismash and Colton Saucerman combined to set up American forward Adam Robbins, who buried his first goal for the club.
Manchester thought they had equalised at 12.37, but video review confirmed that Brandon Cutler’s effort hit the post and rebounded out. The Storm then earned the first powerplay of the night, but Stewart remained unbeatable as Blaze carried their 1–0 advantage into the first intermission.
The second period began with chances at both ends, though both netminders continued to stand tall. The home side finally levelled the game at 26.41 when British defenceman Bradley Jenion fired home, assisted by league joint-top point-scorer Gary Haden and Stephen Johnson.
With Storm on their second powerplay of the night, Blaze restored their lead shorthanded. Matthew Gleason raced away on a 2-on-1 and finished clinically for his fifth goal in the last three games, with Vertanen providing the assist.
Manchester responded and this time made their man advantage count, tying the game with 14.35 remaining. Johnson squeezed a shot through Stewart, assisted by Brady Gilmour and Nick Welsh.
Coventry were handed a golden opportunity to regain the lead with a prolonged 5-on-3 powerplay at 13.15, but DeRidder and the Storm penalty kill held firm. With no further goals through 60 minutes, the game headed to overtime.
Mismash had the first big chance of the extra period but was denied on a breakaway by DeRidder. At the other end, new Storm signing Dante Hannoun made no mistake, breaking free and scoring the winner on his home debut at 61.10.
Manchester secured the extra point with the 3-2 overtime victory, while Blaze took a hard-earned road point despite their short bench.
Photo credit: Mark Ferriss
