Storm take OT win against leaders

Photo: Mark Ferris

Manchester Storm logged their first home win over Belfast Giants this season with an overtime victory in an entertaining contest on Sunday night at the Storm Shelter.

“It had its ups and downs,” said overtime hero Loren Ulett. “A lot of nights, that’s kind of how it goes. But I think we’ve been playing really well over the last 10 or 15 games. We’ve been in every game we’ve played, and it was nice to get a result tonight.”

Belfast controlled much of the opening period, enjoying the majority of possession, but it was Storm who struck first. Player-coach Dallas Ehrhardt threw a puck on net that found its way past the Giants’ goaltender to give the hosts the lead.

Storm looked set to take that advantage into the first intermission, but the Giants responded with just over two minutes remaining. A shot glanced off Drew DeRidder’s blocker before bouncing behind him and rolling over the line to level the game.

The Giants carried that momentum into the second period and took the lead early in the frame. Brandon Whistle connected cleanly on a one-timer from the back door to make it 2-1. Belfast controlled much of the middle period, but Storm pushed late on, creating chances including two partial breakaways that Jackson Whistle turned aside.

Storm tied the game 1:21 into the third period through Brandon Cutler. The hosts were then unlucky not to go ahead, while Belfast did well to survive a 5-on-3 penalty kill to keep the game level.

With the sides tied after 60 minutes, both teams earned a point and the game headed to overtime. Loren Ulett broke free and sniped past Jackson Whistle to secure the extra point for Storm. In the excitement of the winner, Ulett jumped into the plexiglass and dislodged it, drawing a delighted reaction from the crowd behind who were able to join in with the celebrations.

“It’s always awesome to score, and it was obviously for a great cause tonight,” added Ulett. “The crowd being big was huge. I’ve been hurting for some goals that aren’t empty-netters, so that was a big one to get. I’m super happy with that, but even happier for the win. We’ve got a really good team, and if we keep chipping away at points, anything’s possible.”