Critchlow double helps Storm advance in playoff race

Photo: Mark Ferris

Manchester Storm moved into fifth place in the Elite League standings with a home win over Dundee Stars on Friday night.

Two goals in a little over three minutes gave the Storm a two-goal lead after 20 minutes in Manchester. Captain Cameron Critchlow opened the scoring, taking Sam Tremblay's pass and slotting past Kevin Carr with 13:04 played. With 16:21 gone, Johnny Corneil got on a rebound after Dallas Ehrhardt's initial play to keep the puck alive fed Austin Farley for a shot on Carr.  

Critchlow struck again 3:05 into period two to put his team three up, while Carr was replaced in net by Lucas Brine with eight minutes left in the second period. Brine was beaten with 2:17 left in the middle session by Zack Phillips to give the Storm a commanding four-goal lead after 40 minutes.

The only goal of period three saw Brendan Harms pull one back for the visitors, but it was Storm who held on for a big two points in the race for a playoff place.