Manchester Storm 1 Cardiff 4 Match report

Manchester Storm suffered defeat at the Storm Shelter against Cardiff Devils on Saturday night as they were unable to recreate the magic from their Sheffield win the week before.

It was a bright start in the 1st period for Storm when Adam Hughesman tested Ben Bowns in the Sheffield goal.

Sheffield grew into the contest putting pressure on the Storm defence and were rewarded when Sheffield forward Joey Haddad swept the puck past a routed to the spot Matt Gin to give Cardiff the lead 1-0.

Tensions grew in the 2nd period as Manchester Storm tried to get themselves back into the contest. Captain Dalas Ehrart put in a solid performance throughout the game, he tried to fire up the storm with a physical challenge on Matt Pope which resulted in both being pulled apart by players from both sides.

Manchester Storms best chance of the 2nd period fell to defender John Negrin who worked Bowns in the Cardiff goal.

Cardiff extended their lead deep into the 2nd period, lovely work by the welsh side caused a defensive laps which was taken advantage of by Mike Mcname and the Devils lead by two.

Storm supported by a big vocal crowd on Saturday night had their chances as both Raymond Greenwal and Jason Aulin went close.

You could feel a goal was coming for Storm and after more pressure Scott Simmons popped up to half Cardiff’s lead, the video referee check to see if it was a goal and it was decided it was 1-2.

Cardiff forward Blair Ryley had two golden opportunities in the dying moments of the 2nd period both superbly saved by Ginn in the Storm goal.

In the final period Storm had chances as Tyson Fawcett and Finlay Ulmer both gave Cardiff lots to think about with lots of aggression in and around the goal.

Unfortunately for Storm Cardiff weathered the pressure and scored the next crucial goal. A high class finish by Haddard again to the delight of the traveling Cardiff faithful in the corner of the Storm shelter.

It finished 4-1 as Storm put on a power play leaving their goal unattended Mark Richardson spotted this and finished from distance to send the Devils back to Cardiff with the win.

Manchester Storm face two big away games in the next few days, a visit to Guildford on Sunday and Coventry on Wednesday in the challenge cup will give Coach Ryan Finnerty chance to right a few wrongs from tonight’s game.

Match report from Rob Parkinson.

Pictures by All sports photography