Storm back on top with OT win

Photos: Mark Ferris/Scott Wiggins

The Manchester Storm went back to the top of the Elite Series standings with an overtime victory against the Coventry Blaze, the second meeting between the sides to go into the extra period.

Craig Peacock gave Manchester the lead just 1:49 in hen his shot deflected off a skate and found its way past Jordan Hedley, who was making his first start of the series in net for the Blaze. Luke Ferrara then marked his first game in the tournament for the Blaze with a nicely taken equaliser just under two minutes later. 2:14 before the period was out, Ciaran Long netted from close range to get on the board for a fourth consecutive game to put his side one up after 20 minutes.

An inch-perfect shot from Joe Hazeldean, his first in Storm colours, put Manchester ahead 1:45 into period two before Sam Duggan's neat deflection brought Coventry back to within one at 26:42. However, the Storm responded 22 seconds later through Jacob Lundell Noer to regain their two-goal advantage.

Things stayed that way until 48:03 to go in the third when the Blaze got themselves back to just one behind again, this time through the impressive Tristan Keck. Coventry pressed for an equaliser and were rewarded when David Clements wristed the puck past Sean Bonar with 34 seconds left, with the extra skater, to force overtime. 

In the bonus period, a smart screen from Josh Batch allowed Scott Simmonds to snipe past a screened Hedley and earn Manchester another overtime win.