Storm snap streak on the road

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Manchester Storm played an excellent road game to end their four-game loss streak with a 2-1 win in Coventry in front of 2,160 fans at the Skydome.

The opening period was scoreless as Taran Kozun and Evan Weninger stopped the combined 13 shots they faced in the first in a game that struggled to get going during the first 20 minutes.

Period two saw an increase in tempo and, as it developed, the hosts beginning to have the better of the chances. Weninger was called into a couple of saves, and had his post to thank for another shot, before the Blaze's pressure told and they took the lead. On his return to the Skydome, John Curran scored his second goal of the weekend for the Blaze with a nice finish at 37:13. It looked as if the home side had finally broken through and would take control of the game, but they were pegged back just 15 seconds later. An excellent Johnny Corneil stretch pass found Michael Korol  through to beat Kozun and hit straight back for the Storm.

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 past Kozun's pad with 7:57 to play. Phillips was binned for Tripping at 54:42 but Weninger kept the Blaze out, while the Blaze pulled Kozun with both 2:11 and 1:10 to play - but unable to take advantage on either occasion. 

Weninger was Storm man of the match for the visitors with one goal against on 34 shots faced.