07 Jan 2024, 17:30 | Regular season | SkyDome Arena |
Coventry Blaze | 1-2 | Manchester Storm |
Periods: Shots: | 0-0 (5-8) | 1-1 (16-8) | 0-1 (13-7) | Total: 34-23 |
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Referees: Smith/Lukosevicius  |  Spectators: 2160 |
  |
Goals and assists
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.