The Manchester Storm collected two Elite League points from Skydome Arena with a narrow 1-2 victory over Genting Casino Coventry Blaze on Sunday.
The opening period was scoreless as Taran Kozun and Evan Weninger stopped the combined 13 shots in a game which started slowly.
Period two saw an increase in tempo and the Blaze began took a deserved lead at 37.134 when Johnny Curran bagged his second in as many games since returning to the club last week.
However, Coventry’s joy was short lived as Manchester hit back just 15 seconds later. Following a bit hit on Kobe Roth, the Storm took advantage of the ensuing play when Johnny Corneil’s stretch pass found Michael Korol who finished neatly past Kozun one-on-one.
Period three was end to end as both teams looked to take the lead. A little against the run of play, it was Manchester who went ahead with Zack Phillips credited for the goal off a Chase Harrison pass, jamming the puck across the line with 7.57 to play.
Phillips was called for tripping at 54.42, giving Coventry a late powerplay opportunity but Weninger kept the Blaze out.
Continuing to search for the equaliser, Blaze pulled Kozun for the extra skater with both 2.11 and 1.10 to play, but despite heavy pressure were unable to find the game-tying goal.
Weninger was awarded the Storm man of the match, saving 33 of Blaze’s 34 shots while Curran was given the honour for Coventry.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
