Welcome to a very special edition of Hockey Night in Manchester.
Coming up we'll bring you the best bits of the action as the Manchester Storm take on
the Milton Keynes Lightning.
A game that took place on Remembrance Sunday.
The Manchester Storm also paid tribute to a former player as Mike Morin was awarded the
most prestigious honour that can be given to any hockey player.
His jersey number was to be retired and that number 15 would be raised to the rafters before
the game.
Let's hear from the man himself as Stephen Packer spoke with Mike Morin.
Back in 1996 you boarded a plane in Canada over to the UK to start your pro hockey career
in the UK.
Here we are over two decades later and you're still here, you're married, you've got a family,
you're settled in Manchester, you're the all time leading franchise appearance holder
for the Manchester Storm.
Did you cover all your plans or was there anything that you missed off?
I didn't miss much.
I mean I intended a coming for eight months and as it transpired I'm here 21 years later.
Yeah no I've ticked all the boxes, the wife, the kids, the business and I'm still here.
So you've seen it all in Manchester with the hockey scene here, the original Manchester
Storm, the reformation.
Did you think a couple of years ago that you'd be back involved with the club?
No, absolutely not.
I hadn't been in a rink for many, many years.
My hockey days were over as far as I thought.
There was not a lot of access for rinks and skating even for the kids so I wasn't involved
and I never thought I'd be involved ever again until that fateful night when my son
and son-in-law convinced me to come down for a game and just sort of go out on the night
drinking and check it out and I've never looked back since really.
You must have so many memories, good memories and probably some bad ones to your times in
the Storm.
Anything stick out on the good side?
Well obviously 99 who won the title and even that first season here in 96 when we broke
the European attendance record, the 17,200 night, that was pretty special.
That was very early days and to have that sort of crowd, playing in the European leagues,
traveling all over Europe and playing some of the best teams outside of North America,
that was a huge highlight for all of us.
And then like I said, winning the title and just the whole organization and watching it
grow and all the friends I met and all the building the family and the wife and everything,
it was pretty special, it was nice.
Can you see any similarities between the original Manchester Storm and the storm you're involved
in now?
Well, playing out of the arena was a lot different, the whole way the business was run was different
but from a fans perspective, the passion of the fans, the dedication, that side of things
is much the same.
Manchester's got a great fan base and we always did.
So that's a big similarity for me is that side of things.
And obviously now we've got four or five guys working in the office trying to do the job
of 15 that we had back when I played.
So you see a lot more management, a lot more hands-on work by the management, by Ryan and
these guys work tirelessly all day, every day to make the Manchester Storm successful
like we were back then and it's pretty inspiring to watch these guys work.
So on Sunday the club and the fans and the people of Manchester, indeed the UK hockey
community are going to be able to pay tribute to your input and your service to Manchester
Storm hockey, to UK hockey, I mean you also play for some other clubs.
But if you could say something back to the fans and the people that you've worked with
over those last two decades, anything you'd like to say to them?
Well obviously a big thank you to everybody that supported me, they've always been on
my side, I've never had, well I'm sure I've had bad things said behind my back, but everybody
has been so supportive, my family has been supportive, the fans, all the Storm management,
everybody that I ever become involved with has been very good to me and if I could ever
give anything back, I mean I would, I'm trying now, but there's never enough that you can
give back because you get involved with a team like this and with the Storm and Prohockey,
you do it first and foremost as you're living, but that's what we do and we love it.
But to be recognized, it's pretty special, it's not something you ever aspire to do or
ever, none of the guys in the room down there would ever say that this is something they
would aspire to, it sort of happens and it's pretty special.
But yeah I just want to say a huge thank you to all the fans, all the Storm management
over the years, past and present and Ryan for having me on board this year, it's pretty
humbling.
A standing ovation here in the Storm shelter for Mike Moran as he takes his place, centre
stage, nice to see John Hammond wearing one of his famous yellow jackets from back in
the Arena days as well, do you ever see one of that John's jackets, signatures all over
the front so the Mike Bunny would be on, Mike Moran number 15 being one of those signatures
on the front of John's jacket down there this evening, do you know that's brilliant
to see the amount of people that are out there with Mike today, that's a testament to Mike
himself, it's not about him, it's about the support he's had throughout his career from
his friends and his family, to be able to share this moment there is just great.
John Hammond just going to have a quick chat, centre ice with Mike Moran, he's just going
to introduce his family.
Got my mum and dad, my sister Patty and her family, Curtis, Ryland, Dre and Jaden, they
came from Canada and my mum and dad came from Canada and I got obviously Sydney, Ethan,
Kane down here, they came from sale and we got Darren and where is she, back there Rachel
with Gareth and Corin, my other son and daughter and I got Yvonne's mum and dad happily here
from Middlesbrough, Lasin, Flora.
Lovely you're all very welcome ladies and gentlemen, give a lovely round of applause.
So a couple of very quick questions, firstly your first memory of Manchester Store.
Wow, that was the first, that was the old altering of my shrink, which was a disaster, which
I thought was a disaster at the time, until later in the afternoon when I went down to
the arena and I was very, very pleasantly surprised, that was probably my first memory
and obviously meeting Brad Rubichuk at 8.30 in the morning on his day off, that wasn't
very pretty.
Now you were such a hero for so many people, just raise your hand if you were there 20
years ago, because look at that all the way, still with us, thank you so much.
This man has been a hero to all of us at Manchester Storm for so long, tell me how it feels for
you tonight.
Pretty special I gotta be honest, there's a lot of people here I recognise from the
old days, a lot of new faces which are very supportive all the time, I got a group of
guys here that support me every day and Ryan and this whole organization has been so special
and obviously without my family none of this would be happening, so I'd just like to thank
everybody, all of you here, all the boys, the Storm organization which starts with Ryan
and obviously my fantastic family that I have behind me.
Finna actually asked me to say earlier that you are so special to Manchester Storm.
So now, Mike Morin, the moment we've been waiting for.
How do you feel at this very moment?
It's a bit strange to be honest, I mean this is the pinnacle of any players career that
really none of us ever imagined will happen and it's going to happen now, so you never
play for this honour, it's something that sort of lands on your lap after so many years
and it's very special actually at the moment.
Let me explain ladies and gentlemen what's going to happen now, Kip over there who is
one of our other heroes who we don't get to see a lot of, he's always behind the scenes,
has got a very special banner, can I invite Captain Jay Rosehill and Kane Morin, we'll
hold you stick Kane because you need to go over there, right go over to Jay over there
if you would, because ladies and gentlemen Kane Morin, Mike's son is our mascot tonight.
Isn't that great to see Lee?
Kane Morin, Mike's son is the mascot this evening and together with the Manchester
Store captain Jay Rosehill just attaching the banner ready to be hoisted up into the rafters
here this evening.
Very interesting to see, just looking at the MK players in the tunnel there, there's one
player who's paying real close attention to what's going on on the screen and it's Paul
Phillips.
Mike Morin's number 15 to the roof.
A thunderous round of applause here in the storm shelter this evening as the number 15
of Mike Morin who played for the Manchester Storm between 1996 and 2002 is raised to the
rafters.
The ultimate tribute that can be paid to any ice hockey player.
His number is retired and that number 15 hangs there proudly for all to see and on behalf
of all of the Manchester Storm, fans, family and friends, we say a huge thank you to Mike
Morin.
And we're getting ready for put drop, it's face off, it's a little bit later than anticipated
but it's hockey night in Manchester with the new face off rules from the double IHF coming
into force this week in the league league and just making sure everybody's in the right
place and we're off and underway this evening as Farrow Paul wins the opening draw for the
Milton Keyes Lightning who are wearing their pink shirts here this evening, early shot
on goal, goes up and over Mike Clemente's glove, the Manchester Storm of course wearing
the specially designed Mike Morin number 15 jersey, a bit of a heart back to the retro
jersey designed from back in the original Storm to Arena days, very nice looking white
jersey that the Storm are wearing this evening so it's white versus pink and the Storm for
the first time get into the offensive zone.
Still with a shot over the left hand corner of Wickman's net, Storm still with a puck,
fire it back out into the lane, just takes a tip, Matt Stannis will have to tidy that
one up in the neutral zone.
So much needed poke possession for the Manchester Storm, Milton Keyes Lightning answered the
question who he passes out the block tonight as they have been but the Storm some pressure.
Shot comes in from the blue line from Stannis, traffic in front of the net, Wickman did see
that one though, padded that one away down in the corner, Becker trying to tidy that
one up looking for the wraparound to get that one out into the zone, Scott Pitt was waiting
for it right on the top of Wickman's paint, great bit of space there for Pitt, nobody
cleared the zone there for the Milton Keyes Lightning.
Shot comes in just wide, another shot from the blue line that one from Nate Fleming and
once again we're battling down in the corner, shot comes in from the blue line once again
from Manchester Storm, turn around there's the first goal of the game, two minutes and
18 seconds on the clock and the Storm, take the lead nice and early in this one it's Manchester
Storm one, Milton Keyes Lightning nil, as we said sort of thing, just getting those bodies
on the edge of the blue paint, loads of traffic in front, fires it in and Wickman looked like
had his eyes taken away from there, I don't know if it got a tip or not but it looks
like Scott Pitt got the goal.
Just to start though Manchester Storm would have been looking for it here this evening
of course not only desperate to get back to winning ways but they're doing this one for
their number 15 Mike Morrin this evening as well.
Nickerson now tidying things up for MK, fires it down, dumped into the corner, easily tied
it up though by the Manchester Storm, Earhart on the puck for Manchester, once again the
Milton Keyes forecheck in there nice and quickly, no space, no time, great stretch pass from
Dallas Earhart off the crossbar, pipes are rattled by Shane Baker, great shot, great
pass from Dallas Earhart, looks like a penalty coming up against the Storm on Baker, delayed
call coming, Milton Keyes still on the puck though, Nate Fleming's won that one so we
will have that call but that's worrying signs for the MK line and how Shane Baker was able
to find himself in so much space on the blue line and get a free shot away which came off
the post of the bar but he followed up I think possibly a slashing call, slashing call against
the Storm number 79, Ferro Paul waiting right at the top of the lane, he's waiting to smash
one and if the draw comes his way.
Interesting the MK lightning looking to go similar to what the Storm is doing in the power play
with the four forwards and just the one defenceman.
Will reset that one, Linesman Chris Wells not happy with how that one finished up and
Storm do a very good job there clearing their zone, actually goes through the legs of the
MK player waiting for it there on the blue line, it was Paul Phillips actually, let that
one squeeze through but he showed his skill, showed his experience and turned that one
back into Milton Keyes' advantage, shot comes out and there is the tie up goal, it came
out from behind Mike Clemente's net, Mike Clemente lost sight of that one as it came
out in front of his paint.
Do set an A because of space out in front of the goal, looks like he got a nasty bounce
off the board, he just found himself in loads of space, that was unfortunate from the Storm
point of view but huge moment for the MK Lightning, straight back when it won all.
Dallas Earhart with another big cross-eyes pass, he certainly looks like he's got his
eyes in this evening, the big Storm number 10, however given away, Nickerson, shot blocked,
one comes away with it for the Storm, off the pipes, comes off the right hand post of
Micka Vicment, just taking a look at Manchester, Storm player went down as well, looks injured,
sliding pass, some horrendous moments of play there for the Manchester Storm, very sloppy
defensive work by the Storm and offside as Karny's getting into a little bit of a conversation
with Lyndon Springer and it was Karny's conversation back in the D that actually
caused MK2 to be offside there, things getting a little fractious out there, Matt Becker's
now chasing this one in and Becker gets there first, he has got support behind him, Hammond
is with him, Becker and Hammond's but Milton Keynes managed to clear that one, in fact
no they don't, Milton Keynes play it straight into their own play, great defensive work
by Kyle Essary throws his body at that one and blocks it as it comes through, Hammond
chasing that one down once again, Becker there once again for the Manchester Storm, how many
times have we said those two guys named in the same centres, big clean hit centre-ice
Lyndon Springer right on the blue line, that one got a big cheer from the Manchester Storm
crowd here this evening, Lyndon's mum's over at the moment, she's in the Storm shelter
arrived in the country last night, Springer just getting a little bit of roughing up
down in that corner, he's turned around and looked at the ref there, he thought he had
a cross-checking call coming but nothing given but we do have an offside against the Manchester
Storm as they make their way back into the offensive zone so we shall come back and
reset things there, a few words being had once again, Matt Becker I can see having a
chat with Mellay I think that is down there, Lyndon Springer showing the type of game he
brings to the Storm, very very physical player, he needs to be careful sometimes he doesn't
boil over and it doesn't also find himself getting pulled out of position, he's all
well and good throwing these big hits and checks as long as you take your man and you
don't get caught out and open up the ice in the neutral zone.
King Ian's Baker once again, Storm coming away with that one, Stannis fires it around
the boards, Carl Hudson went to clear that one up though, the Pooksomeo escaped his stick
as he went to grab that one behind the net, Baker on it for the Manchester Storm, fires
it down into the corner to Rosehill, looking to get things around, Milton King's looking
for that pass down to centre-ice to get some kind of shot on goal, very almost a mistake
by Matt Stannis as he lost the Pook right in front of Mike Clemente's net and from
the Storm net-minders point of view that's the last place he wants to see his team-mates
losing the Pooksday.
Storm playing high-risk Hockey at the moment and they're going to get caught short soon.
Battling on the boards behind Micka Vicman's net, referee Steve Brown got a good view of
this one, he's happy for play to continue, Milton King's coming away with that one,
big hit on the boards, starting to get really physical, Stannis looking to calm this one
down now for the Storm, looks to get that outlay passed away, King intercepts that one,
Stannis with a good defensive work following up that interception but Hock steals that
one of his stick, we're just trying to cherry-pick a little bit too much of our passes at the
moment, those long stretch passes again and intercepted and we're almost getting caught.
Boxer lost his stick in the neutral zone, it's just inside the red line though so no
icing call, shot comes in and we've got a huge check, a huge check against the sides
and the Milton King's players actually gone straight through the player door.
That is not acceptable, that should not be happening.
The stewards of the match night officials are down there, I can also see Planet Ice
staff, and the referee is being called over to the timekeeper's booth, obviously a problem
with that door, has he broken through the bolts, I guess is the question, has the bolt
just been going to smash through as he's hit that?
Until you know what the cause was, it's hard to be too critical but that really shouldn't
be happening, that could have resulted in a very nasty injury, luckily for Forbes, he's
straight back on his feet on the ice but as I say, that shouldn't be happening.
Four on four for 39 seconds and then MK will be on the power plate, Melly's thrown out
of the face off circle, Carson replaces him.
What a great name to take for someone that takes a face off, Melly.
And now Carson's thrown out of the face off circle.
And that'll be a penalty because they'd already got rid of Melly, so there's the second infraction
on the face off, so the storm goes straight back onto the power plate, there's once again
the new rules being enforced, Paul Phillips not happy, giving a mouthful to the linesman.
Kevin King, the Milton King's lightning captain is now in heated conversation with Chris Wills
and James Kavana down in the corner but as these new regulations say, it's in the rule
book, two infractions and it is a penalty.
Yeah, just to clarify for those at home, the rule is that if you get thrown out of the
circle twice, you get a delay of game penalty, which is what has happened and the officials
stamping down early on these new rules, keep saying new rules, personally I'm not a great
fan of it, I just wish they would just simplify things, just drop the puck and let the game
get on.
How many times around the elite league do you hear fans chanting, drop the puck?
Carson as the second man in the face off circle heads off into the penalty box, delay of the
game is the call when you get two infractions on the face off like that, so we've got some
two four on three for 39 seconds and we have another Milton King's player being thrown
out of the face off circle, Mellay is gone, you can see the Milton King's players are
not happy in the slightest, and finally the puck is dropped, he's four on three, wide
open in front of Micka Vickman, Vickman huge save, Stuttall did not go anywhere, Paul Phillips
needs to find his head.
All the players are so distracted by what was going on with the referees, the storm
player was left open and had a clear goal scoring opportunity and didn't find the back
of the net.
Four on three for Storm, got to keep themselves onside here, turned by Becker, keeps the puck
on the right side of the blue line, it's in, Becker's chasing that one down, is that a
tripping, is that a trip on Becker as he goes in, nothing called by the officials, over
to Scott Pitts, Becker once again wide open, Stanis waiting on the blue line, here is Stanis,
Paul comes in, goes just wide, I think Vickman might have just got a touch on that one with
his pad, we're back to four on four Hockey, four minutes left to go in the first period,
the two penalties currently being served, there's only one second of difference between
the times on them, so it would be pretty much five on five, MK Lighty living very dangerously
during that 30 odd second power play, they've come away unscathed though, which is good
news for them.
Becker and Moffat two on two, Becker goes left, Moffat goes into the paint, Moffat's
got the puck in his feet, but he can't find it, he came off Vickman, rebounded into the
skate of Luke Moffat, Moffat didn't realise it was there until it was too late, Milton
Keynes starting to look very scrappy and defencity, just not falling for the storm at the moment
around that area, then to your good looks though, they keep playing like this, they'll
be happy, better of Paul thrown out of the face off circle once again for the Milton
Keynes Lightning Storm, winning that draw, Storm have a chance of a two on two here if
they can have it, although we have a penalty behind the play, didn't actually see what
happened there Steve, then if you caught it out the corner you're right.
Looks like it's a Linden Springer call for holding, that's frustrating for the storm,
it's just got six seconds to see out on that penalty and they're back to even strength,
now they've got to see out another two minutes, but before that there's a five on three for
six seconds, big chance here for the MK Lightning, if they could get one now within the six seconds
they'll still be on the power play for another two minutes.
Linden Springer joining Paul Swindlehurst, getting a bit cosy over there in the home
penalty box, five on three can MK make this count, they've only got six seconds on the
clock before Swindlehurst joins his ranks back in defence once again, holding the stick
the call on the storm number 27, Milton Keynes looking to get it away, they get it back,
back to the blue line looking to find that pass, cross ice and they have got that goal
as the penalty clock runs in, now this is going to be interesting because the penalty
clock was on zero, it looks like Linden Springer's left the box, so the officials are just having
a talk about that, but it'll be a big moment, whether the first penalty had expired, but
a great puck movement there by the MK Lightning, able to move the puck around, just find that
space on that man on the far side, he was just easy finished for the MK Lightning man.
They took their time, they knew they had space and they used that space to their advantage
and DeSett gets his second of the evening, he's now on a hat trick, we're now having
the conversation with the officials just to see if that first penalty had expired.
Baker, Rosa looking to get a shot away, just had the puck taken off his stick as he was
looking to let Ritt with that one, comes back out the centre ice, Rosa being very careful
with the stick there, great strength by Mele, Rosa was all over him like a rash, he's still
got the shot away, and we've got a penalty coming, that hits has not gone down well with
the referee, Linden Springer not very happy with the call, judging by his reaction as
he makes his way off the ice, it was Lewis Hook I think that shot that one down there.
I guess he's given a tripping call, it looked like he took a, I don't know, it's one of
those ones where he's battling for the puck, but the guy has gone over the stick, skates
getting a tangle, it's frustrating as well because there's no real danger there for
the storm, they've got possession of the puck and they're coming out their own zone and
the penalty's gone against Linden Springer, once again the penalty kill for the storm
is going to have to come up big again for another two minutes, a lot of pressure being
spit on the storm special team. Kneeing the call on Linden Springer, having just seen the
replay that looks like a rather unusual call, I must admit, good block right in front of
Mike Clemente there, Swindlehurst temporarily lost the puck, did manage to clear it away
though, Manchester Storm find themselves on the penalty kill once again, two sets has
already got two power play goals for the Milton Keynes Lightning so far this evening, he'll
be looking to grab his hat trick, look very dangerous on the power play, MK tonight, Paul
Phillips losing that one centre-ice, Storm really having to battle to get any kind of
puck possession, here comes Doucette, he's forced out wide, yeah MK, Storm getting caught
chasing a little bit, Milton Keynes Lightning really well on their entry, they're getting
nice controlled entries down the sides of the boards, there's not much pressure from
the storm, I'd like to see him try and stand up on the blue line a bit more I think, Phillips
on the blue line he's waiting, yes here comes the shot from Paul Phillips and it goes five
hole I think, on Mike Clemente, Clemente will want that one back, there was a little
bit of traffic in front of his net, I think there was a tip there from Paul Phillips,
I think Phillips got the one-timer away and there was a possible tip, so that changing
direction so close to the net is a difficult one for Mike Clemente, and once again Milton
Keynes Lightning proved their worth on the power play with 16-17 left to go in the second
period, it is, Milton Keynes three, Manchester Storm one, Storm working hard to keep the
puck behind that goal line, comes back out to the blue line, Stannis plays it down the
line pass to Baker, shot comes in to the pad safe from Vickman, Scott Pitt throwing that
one in, stick got up a bit high there, no call though, and the puck is fired down the
ice straight at Mike Clemente, who has to just tidy that one up, and now the storm
with a little bit of speed, dump and chase by Matt Stannis, he's after that one himself
in behind the net, follows through with a check as well behind the goal, once again
another great save there by Vickman off the Baker backhand, what a shot, what a goal for
the Manchester Storm, Matt Becker in the right place at the right time, he threw his stick
out at that one as it made its way across the crease, what a front off Micka Vickman,
what a great finish by Kieran Long I think, was it Rose Hill, just checking that one out
on the replay, it came across so quick, and it was a case of throw your stick out and
hope for the best, Storm got their tails up now, Milton Keynes hanging on slightly, Storm
looking to get the leveler, Baker brings that one to Stannis, Barma's waiting centre ice,
there is Barma, shot comes in just wide, everything just happened a little bit quicker
for the Storm now, take to take passes, Barma not got a goal for the Manchester Storm yet
this season, one assist to his name, and Barma's once again waiting on the blue line as the
battle takes place down in the left hand corner, and now Barma's going to have to do some
defensive work, he's back there with Stannis as the lightning break away, looking for Boxhill,
Kieran intercepts that one, Baker and Rose Hill, Rose Hill back to centre ice, just couldn't
quite take the puck in as it came through, Kieran Long once again, Kieran Long in the
right place at the right time once again, just couldn't quite dig the puck out from
under his stick, Rose Hill battles that one, Stannis fires it in, takes a tip of a Milton
Keynes player and it's gone in, that one's going to go down as an own goal, Micka Vickman
had that one covered and it took a flick off a Milton Keynes lightning stick and he levels
it up at three apiece.
Yeah Matt Stannis got a calendar shot, just fires it in a quick wrist shot, just firing
it wide and it comes off possibly Kieran Long might get credit for that, but long points
through Stannis so I'm not sure if he did get a touch, definitely came off somebody
whether it was the MK man or if it was Kieran Long, Micka Whitman could do nothing about
that.
And back in the neutral zone, fighting for it, just shy of the red line, Luke Moffitt
following in to set, Vero Paul, MK looking to make things happen once again, trying
to get it back to Vero Paul, but Mike Clemente just, well there's that one and Trends and
Vero Paul are there, they're not happy, they look like almost an attempted spear by Vero
Paul on Trends, face off to the right of Micka Whitman's net, which MK come away with, MK
looking to put the pressure back on, can't quite get their stick on the puck at the moment
though, the guys in the pink shirts this evening, Hammond looking to fire that one around the
boards, Storm still have it just about, very scrappy, Becker fighting for it, he's looking
to get that one to pit behind the net, mentioned it in the pregame, this game's here for the
taking for the Storm and to the MK, lovely judge by Scott Pitt trying to free up Matt
Becker, he had pressure all the way in though, no space at all for the Storm number 26, but
he was in the right place at the right time to provide the screen, he quickly moved out
of the way and Vickman is beaten, it's Storm 4, MK lightning 3, I think this might be reviewedly,
no I think it's okay, I was a bit concerned that the Storm man was in the paint, but he
got himself up and he was outside of the paint by the time that Pitt put the shot in and
it just snuck in the inside post there, as we mentioned Scott Pitt, you can see the gap,
you can see the gap that he's just got that plucked through, Becker got up and off his
knees, he was sprawling in the paints, he got up and out of the way very quickly, Scott
Pitt, then we said haven't quite been firing for the Storm yet, I think it's one of those
players that were a bit of, if he'd have fired that out, just a split second earlier, gold
tender interference, the fact he delayed, I know that gap opened up and then he fired
in and Becker was clear and Vickman hadn't quite regathered his near side post and it
snuck in.
Interesting that that goal has just been given in the ring to Matt Becker, there's definitely
Scott Pitt who fired that shot in, assist by Barma according to the announcements here,
I think we beg to differ with that one.
Yeah, unless Becker did get a little touch, no I don't think he did to be honest, it looked
like it just dropped by straight in, better up all now on the break for Milton Keynes
and there's the equaliser, he's skated straight in on Mike Clemente's net, a little fake,
he dropped his shoulder and then he left Rip and left the Manchester Storm net-minder
sprawling and he had far too much space there from the Manchester Storm perspective.
Yeah, Swindohyne has caught pinching up in his own zone there too far, we've mentioned
it again and again, especially very poor, he's found himself in acres of space on that
far side all night, just fires it in and beats Mike Clemente to level things up straight
away.
Scott Pitt chasing down Nickerson, Nickerson shows his experience, turns brings that one
away, Carney fires it cross ice, shot comes in, blocked, Milton Keynes still have the
puck though, good defensive work by the Manchester Storm, Becker against the boards, Carney once
again it's behind Carney, it's just gone up over his head, he couldn't quite see it right
in front of our camera position, backhand he passed by Scott Pitt, this one is getting
a little bit lively, delay call coming on the Milton Keynes lightning, Mike Clemente
heads to the bench, good stick there by Hamon, Mike Hamon showing all of his skill, that
was heading straight for the back of our own net, Springer joins the overtime party for
the Manchester Storm, here comes the number 27, forward quickly into the zone, back to
Hansen who's joined the fray, Hansen across into the paints, Micka Vickman gets that one
away with his blocker, Milton Keynes happy to keep that one in their zone though while
they just look to establish possession, half way through overtime, no real chances for
either team as of yet, Milton Keynes looking to make their way up the ice, just went behind
Carl Hudson as he looked to get it, Springer doing good defensive work back there for Manchester,
and there is the overtime winner, an absolute laser beam into the top corner of Mike Clemente's
net from Francis Verropole, he was stood there waiting for it and I'm not sure there's a
net minder in this world that could have stopped that Steve Packer, it was an absolute
bullet.
Yeah it all came out with Lyndon Springer getting caught a little bit high and turning the
puck over and it was a nice feed out to Verropole, he's had an excellent game, all game.
We said he's been dangerous, we said Milton Keynes have been dangerous on the break right
the way throughout the game this evening and they have scored, the overtime winner hit
us finished in overtime, Manchester storm 4, Milton Keynes lightning 5, M.K. take the
two points, Storm still get a point out of the weekend which is not what they were looking
for.
He must be chuffed to pieces with a win on the road tonight.
Yes, probably the toughest rink to come to for sure, the way they play and I thought
we handled it pretty well tonight, we're over luck a little bit but you've got to do that
when you come in here, they know how to play the rink, I thought we'd segment up here,
we're pretty good.
You've got some performance out there on the ice but not the result we wanted.
No, I mean 5 on 5, we dominated that game, you can look at the shots 4 and against, unfortunately
all our shots 4 came on the 5 on 5 and not on the power play.
Same stories last night, special teams killed us again tonight, I was looking for a reaction
after last night we spoke about it and it got worse tonight, our power play could have
bailed us out at the end and our P.K. they went 3 for 4 so we got some serious issues
there that we have to address and we're going to, like I told the guys, we're going to shake
the bush, other guys are going to get an opportunity on the power play and some guys aren't going
to like where they're watching it from.
Milton Keyes look very dangerous on the break as well this evening and quite a few times
the Storm D looked like they were being caught out and not being able to keep up with the
play at times, I mean how concerning is that for you, couple of months into the season
that we're being caught out like this already?
Let's rewind that, right now we're in first place and we're f***ed off about it, that's
the reality, that's the only positive right now, we did move back in into that top spot
and we're not happy, we're not content with where we're at and like you said Milton Keyes
the team they cheat offensively, they cheat in the D zone, they fly guys, their wingers
fly we know that, we don't see a lot of teams that do it but they cheat a lot and you got
to respect the fact that they are going to blow the zone on 50-50 bucks and they got
some good speed so when they do get it out they create a lot of havoc for you and if
you don't have a third guy high they can cause you a lot of problems but right now the difference
in the last two games is special teams, you can analyze it, you can figure out what's
going on, it's special teams all day long, I mean you can be a newbie at this game and
realize you're not scoring on the power play and giving up a lot on the PK so we got to
address that, five on five I'm happy with the way we're at, I was happy last night where
we were at, I was happy tonight with where we're at, special teams and right now we're
going to blow it up and create some new looks.
One final question as well, Dallas Airhards didn't ice in the third period this evening,
nothing too serious I hope?
Yeah probably no more over the next 48 but yeah we're looking probably lower body injury
hopefully just a couple of weeks by the sounds of it here but like I said with these kind
of things you kind of tend to find more out in the next kind of 48 hours.
