Hello, welcome to another hockey night in Manchester and Manchester Storm's final game in the
regulation period of the season and what a game it is. We've been kind of saying all
these different words of how big these games really are but today really really is. I've
been trying to think of what to say on this particular introduction and there isn't really
much but I genuinely am so so nervous today. Let me just give you a sprinkle of what the
league looks like right now. As you can see the top seven places have already qualified
for the playoffs but that final eighth place is still a little bit murky. It's between
Coventry and Manchester Storm so in a bid to raise a bit of money for charity but also
do my bit for the team with superstition and all that kind of stuff I have decided to tonight
become a temporary Sheffield Steelers fan and I promise that I would do this on the introduction.
So as you can see this is a Steelers jersey that I'm wearing tonight. It's painful but
we've raised several hundred pounds for charity so thank you to everyone who sponsored me
to raise money for the Christie. So without further ado I'm going to support my rival
team as a Manchester Storm fan and also the city that I was born in I'm supporting against
them and let's hope that Manchester Storm can do it and the hockey gods are in our favour.
Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, let's find out.
Mike Clemente in goal of course, Trevor Johnson on the far side, Dallas Earhart and Paul Phillips
the starting line up for the Manchester Storm and here we go the game defining match of
the Manchester Storm season. It's the Manchester Storm taking on the Nottingham Panthers and
the Storm win the draw back in the D with Paul Phillips as the Storm start to cycle
the put nice and early. It would be interesting to see how physical this game gets early.
Obviously Nottingham Panthers have got a few players who like to throw the hits in so it
would be interesting to see how this starts. Yeah, good point there. Nottingham got a few
lads out there that aren't shy of throwing the weight about. Manchester Storm, likewise.
We've just got to hope to keep the cool. Both sides looking to establish some put control.
A little bit of a scrappy first 30 seconds here in the Storm shelter. Put back in the
Manchester Storm. Paul Swindlehurst takes it behind the net for the Storm. Quickly charged
down there by Robert Farmer. One of those Panthers players who is certainly no stranger
to throwing a few big hits. And the puck sent behind the Panthers goal. Tackle controls
it and the Panthers start to bring it away. First shot on goal there for the Nottingham
Panthers. Sticked away by Mike Clemente in the Storm net. Panthers just starting to get
a little bit of dominance here in the game. Simon starting to assert the early control.
You just got to hope that Manchester Storm can just play their game. We don't want to
get bullied around by the Nottingham Panthers. Teledicke on the break here for Manchester
Storm. Pushed out of things by Chris Lawrence in the D there for the Panthers. We've got
our first whistle of the evening. Going to see people still trying to come in through
those doors. Maybe had a barbecue in the lovely weather before they came in this evening.
It is a packed shelter. That's for sure. We've spent so long, don't we, complaining
about how cold it is inside Icewrench. And then we get a bit of sunshine outside. Everyone
loves to come in indoors for a little bit of a cool down. Panthers win the draw there.
And they keep the puck making their way up the ice here in the Storm shelter. Once again,
Storm TV Live is the hashtag you need to use if you want to get into this on social media.
Let us know where it is you're watching. Let us know your allegiance as well. If it's not
obvious from your avi, your picture on Twitter, then just do give us a little bit of a help
up there. Jeff Orchace down. Storm in on net there. Patrick Valcek just got beaten to
the puck. Pressure definitely on at the Manchester Storm. And now Mark Keatley looking to grab
the puck back for the Storm. But now the Panthers are going to bring this one away and bring
the puck back to safety. Good spell of pressure there from the Storm. And we're going to be
bringing things back to reset behind Mike Clemente's net. 17-40. Left to go in the first. A couple
of minutes already underway. Great noise here in the Storm shelter as the Storm made
the way up the ice. But a business there. Shot there from Mario Trebuco. Just missed
on the follow-up there for the Manchester Storm. And the Panthers could break here.
The puck goes across the ice. Storm have it back though. Jack Prince tightening things
up in centre ice. Dumped down into the corner and now the Panthers will reset. So I got
a little bit frantic there for 60 seconds or so. Yeah, I was loving it. Holding onto
this rail up in the gantry. Life depended on it. Nice and exciting. Enjoying it so far.
Mentioned Patrick Valcek on the previous shift. I think he'll be important. Has Cody
Kasiak come through? Kasiak away and he just missed controls the puck as he goes for the
shot on net. He was clear through there for the Manchester Storm. But it wasn't to be
in the Panthers. Once again, control the puck and will start to build from their D. Flick
through. Taylor Dicking on the puck for the Manchester Storm. Over to centre ice. Darian
Dzynski missed controls there. A little bit of sloppy play from the Manchester Storm.
They'll be looking to improve on that as the game wears on. Dzynski fighting for it. Might
be in here. Packed covers. End of the first period in Sheffield by the way. It's still
Sheffield Steelers near Coventry Blaise, nil. We'll keep you up to date with that as the
second period gets underway in about 10 minutes time or so. We're back to the action here
in Altingham. Got a little bit flat in the Storm shelter at the moment. Both teams just
trying to assert that dominance. There's been a couple of good spells from both sides here,
but then it's kind of got scrappy and trying to build back up again. No one's really asserted
any kind of dominance, have they so far? The thing is, it just comes with those two penalties.
The special teams haven't a go out. Kanzin knocks the line rotations out of the stride.
Like you say, next couple of minutes is going to be pivotal to see who can take the advantage.
Karshe chasing the puck down there. Cleared away with a stick by Packle in the Panthers
net. Storm's still fighting for him. Got a shot on there. I think that came off the
pads of Packle. Not quite sure who it was that got said. Mark Heatley just misses the
puck as it flashes across the Panthers goal. Panthers coming away now on the break. Storm
interception though. Dallas Earhart with a pass, great pass to Patrick Valkak who just
missed controls it. Manages to keep his skates in. However, we've still got the puck here.
Mark Heatley into the corner looking for a lane in front of the net. Packle once again
smothers the puck. Eric Nielsen stood there looking for a tipping. Packle's been pretty
busy. There's a lot of nasty little shots coming in, a bit of traffic in front. You
know Storm can play well with a man in front of the goalkeeper. You've got to be the first
to these rebounds if he gives any up. But at the moment he's been playing really well
in that. Storm went in the draw, keeping the puck possession flashed across the goal. They're
just in front of Mark Heatley though. Couldn't quite get onto the puck for the Manchester
Storm. Who brings things back? Dallas Earhart looks to build. Paul Swindlehurst making his
way through centre-ice once again. Looking for support from the Manchester Storm line
but blocked out there by the Panthers at the back. So good defensive play from the Nottingham
Panthers here. Quite a gritty game. Puck flicked into the air. Patrick Valkat with it once
again for the Manchester Storm. Good puck control there. Turns, shoots, tries to bring
it round. But loses out and here come the Nottingham Panthers two on two heading into
the Storm zone. Beats one defender and then gets stopped by a combination of Paul Swindlehurst
and Dallas Earhart teaming up there at the back. Panthers still with the puck though.
Still in the Storm zone. Getting a little bit aggravated down there. Paul Swindlehurst
involved for the Manchester Storm. A little bit of shirt pulling, a little bit of aggravation.
Flicked from Dallas Earhart where she chases up himself. Line change from Manchester Storm.
Paul was flying in. Come on, he got two D-men up at the front for Storm. That was very
fortunate for Manchester Storm that they went offside there the Nottingham Panthers. They
had a three on two like you said. That line change was a bit messy. Storm playing upside
down for a good 10 seconds there with two D-men up front and the line change that came
on ended up backing things up in defence as Simon said. Probably a little bit fortunate
that the offside was called because Panthers could have been there on a breakaway there.
Great turn there from Jack Prince. Just losing out to Jason Williams who nicks the puck back
there for the Nottingham Panthers. Very end to end game. Very fast paced. Both sides looking
as if they really have something to play for here. Jack Puck is overstretching. Couldn't
quite gather the puck there. Panthers trying to make their way through the lane there.
Trabuco here. He's got an outlet to the left if he sees him and Mario Trabuco has been
called offside. Yeah, he's got a bit of a let down there going in offside. All the time
in the world on the two on one. Let's just have a look at this one. It was Bissonette
that just crept over the line before. I think he wanted an earlier pass. That's really
frustrating. We reached the halfway point of the first period here at the Storm Shelter.
10 minutes left to go in this first period. Play continues to get into it. It's getting
a little bit more physical out there on the ice as well. Just notice. Good stick there
from down here. Just to block the Panthers making the break away. The good stick from
Dzezynski sees the Manchester Storm recover the puck there. Cycling around the defensive
zone. Panthers with the pressure of the forecheck pushing up the ice. Air Hots. Passes it wide.
Manchester Storm now looking to break up to Taylor Dicking. Plashes it through to Cody
Cauchy. Shot in there from Paul Phillips comes out. It just scraped off the pads of
Packaloo. I don't think there was a great deal about it as it flashed across his net.
Off the side of the netting there for a shot from the Storm. Looking for the wrap around
there. There was a trip. Was there a trip there? Someone certainly went down. No call
from the on ice official. Our referee put watch in there. Didn't quite see what was
going on. Certainly looked like a stick was wrapped around. I didn't quite see who the
Storm player was who hit the deck there. Was it Darian? Adam Harding chasing the puck here.
Panthers looking to bring things away. Gil Pass across the ice there to Robert Farmer
who tries to get himself through the lane. Pass to try to get back to centre ice. Patrick
Valcap bringing it away for the Storm. Shot in from the Panthers though from the blue
line. Blocked by Clemente. Mark Keatley with the pass to centre ice. Possible break here
for the Manchester Storm. Valchak just gets caught. Just gets caught by Robert Farmer
heading back into the D for the Panthers there. Now the Panthers could break. It's a clock
bringing things away. Trevor Johnson getting in the way of things for the Manchester Storm.
Plenty of passion out there on the ice. Kept in the blue zone there by the Panthers. They're
looking to get it across the lane. Flick shot across Mike Clemente's net. And finally cleared
out of the zone with authority by Trevor Johnson. Just the one penalty for both teams so far
in the game. Wednesday's game as well. Something else interesting. Manchester Storm managed
to stay out of the box until the last 25 seconds of the game where Eric Nielsen got a two minute
break for delay of the game, which I'm not to be honest, not all that sure he knew too
much about. He certainly didn't intend to put it out. Talking to Nielsen. He's behind
the net right now fighting it away. Trying to keep hold of the puck for the Manchester
Storm. Back behind the net and it's Nielsen again in a little bit of a tussle with Jeff
War there for the Nottingham Panthers. Some open ice here. Paul Swindle finds himself
wide open. Slop shot. Nielsen trying to get the tip in once again. Plenty of pressure
from Eric Nielsen. The Manchester Storm number 2090 is making a bit of a nuisance of himself
so far in this game. Yeah, it was great to see, you know, he's a physical type of player,
but it was all around the boards. There was no one out in front of the Panthers in that,
just in case the puck came loose, which is a bit frustrating to see because if it does
pop up there, there'll be no one to bang it in. It'll just be the Panthers clearing it.
So let's see what happens now. Chabuco on the breakaway shot. It's a goal for the Manchester
Storm straight through Packle. Mario Chabuco. And you can hear the storm shelter erupt.
Yeah, I think Chabuco gave Packle the eyes and thought he's made him think he was going
to pass it across to Bisson there. He said he doesn't. He throws it hard towards net
in that corner and it slips above Packle's pad and below his block aside. That's a great
goal for the Manchester Storm. I would say Packle will be quite disappointed with that
though. Oh yeah, you can see that from his reactions. He should have done better than
that, but we don't care. Manchester Storm will one-nil up. I want to say hello to Molly.
Molly Ford, there's a name I recognise, the better half of Manchester Storm player Jack
Prince. Ready to cheer the guys on to the playoff, she says. Wish her were there in
the storm shelter rather than in Alabama. Molly, of course, was over. She'd been over
the last 10 days or so and really enjoyed her time here. She fell in love with the English
countryside. Oh, that's very nice. I did spot her. I don't want to go up to her and introduce
myself. They were a bit weird doing that to people on social media. We've got a call coming.
Not quite sure who on, if I'm being perfectly honest. Body language would say Philip. Yeah,
Paul Phillips appears to be going to the bench for the Manchester Storm, which we've been
anotting in Panthers power play for the last 21 seconds of this first period. Yeah, a bit
hoping Storm win this draw now. Leave a bit of pressure. See out the period. Slashing
the call on Paul Phillips there. Two minute penalty cleared around the boards by air hearts.
Great chance this for the Panthers on the power play with 12 seconds left to go. A fresh
air shot there from Schultz. Very unusual for him. The storm could be breaking here.
Is the time for a shot on the buzzer shot from Trebucho smothered by Packal. What a great
finish to the first period for Manchester Storm. Yeah, I can safely say that had a gun
in the roof would have come off the shelter. It's unfortunate we haven't got a clock counting
down on the screen, but I could assure you just as he hits it and as it went into the
middle of the kill keeper, the buzzer went great finish to what I have to say was a really
entertaining first period. Great atmosphere continues reminder that
not again Panthers are on the power play as we head into this second period. The clock
starts. Storm will be keen to make sure they clear the book at every single opportunity
for the first minute or so of this shot coming in from the Panthers. Grabbed by Mike Clemente.
Good save through traffic once again. Looks very calm and collected in the Manchester
Storm net tonight. Yeah, nice little save there. Personally,
a little bit worried that there was two Panthers players in the first around him, but we move
on. One minute 25 left in the power play. And we get into the crouching commentary position
because the face off behind a TV screen in front of the commentary position here in the
storm shelter. Panthers winning the draw on that one looking to find a lane here to get
the puck into. Shot comes off, hits the post. I think the net has come off his moorings there.
Yeah, it looked like Clemente just jumped up and cut it with his shoulder. You know
it doesn't take much to knock these nets off the moorings. If this was an outdoor game,
it would be a slight breeze and they'd be over in template.
Probably a good job not down there at sneeze and they'd fly off the moorings.
115 left to go on the power play for the Nottingham Panthers. 30 seconds gone on the play
cup for this second period. Fatal just controlling the puck there as the Nottingham Panthers
look to come round and rebuild. And here they come up the ice. Lawrence flicking it
back there to Schultz. Shot comes in from the Panthers. David Clarke getting that shot
away blocked by Mike Clemente and cleared away by the Manchester storm.
I think Dallas Earhart got right in front of that. You want to see that from the TV
in the way?
Dallas Earhart stands in front of you. There's not a lot getting through. I can tell you
that. I think he is actually the tallest player on the Manchester storm team. One of
the nicest guys in the squad though, so it has to be said. He really is a lovely, lovely
chap, Dallas. Yeah, a great set of both eyes he's got in the collection as well.
Slapshot comes in from the Panthers. Clemente deflected it. They look to gather it. Flicked
off. David Zinski chasing the puck down. We have a possible breakaway here. Four Manchester
storm shot comes in. Karshe checking it out. Chasing it round the net. Panthers with eight
seconds left to go on this power play. Looks like the storm are going to hopefully kill
this penalty.
Paul Phillips back onto the ice. Full strength for the storm. Back to five on five hockey.
Pressure still coming in though from the Nottingham Panthers. Flicked behind the net. And once
again, Clemente covers the puck.
It's always a nerve-wracking time. Right after you kill a penalty, the player comes straight
over, joins the play. You can confuse a bit of few people. You can end up conceding when
you're even strength, which is just like shoulder strain. You've done the hard bit for two minutes,
only for it all to go down the pan.
How many times have we seen it this season as well, a player coming off or out of the
penalty box, literally jumping onto the ice, putt landing his feet on the breakaway, going
your way and scoring. I mean, you've seen it quite a few times this season. Talking
of breaking away, Eric Nielsen on the breakaway for the Manchester storm. Shot deflected off
the tackle, flies around the boards, lost the puck there. Mark Heatley turn around first
one to spot the puck. Here comes Heatley. Nielsen into the centre. Flicks it back to
Valkac, who puts it over the Nottingham Panthers net. Pressure from the Manchester storm here,
still in control of the puck.
Another shot on goal. Heatley looking to get it away. Panthers good defence there from,
as Andy Serti is getting in the way there.
Puts into the corner. Brian McGrathen chasing this in.
Good space there for Eric Nielsen, who tries to get the puck up the ice, coming back to
the Manchester storm. D, though, control back with the Manchester storm at the moment.
Paul Phillips looking to find an out. Let's pass. Jack Prince causing some problems for
the Panthers defence there in the centre of the ice.
Heatley behind the storm. Pucks in to be lost for just a couple of seconds again there.
Several times that's happened so far during the game here this evening.
Trebuco fighting for it for the Manchester storm. Comes away with the puck, looking for
the wrap around. Flick back into the lane. Still wide open by Bissonette with a second
shot. Can't get it through the traffic in front of the Panthers net. Jack Prince chasing
it in there and Trebuco going after the puck, which has been flicked behind the Panthers
net. Storm still with put possession here. Simon, good spell of pressure there for Manchester.
Yeah, it's looking really well out there. It's just unfortunately the finishing's not
happening. Just got to hope they ain't going to, you know, cost us in the end. Three players
fluffing the lines. I'm not sure why De Reft didn't call that, to be honest. A blatant
slash to the skate.
Jack Prince taking chase in his own passing. Got to tip off one of the Panthers' D-men
as the puck made its way into the zone. And here comes Lawrence for the Nottingham Panthers
down centre-ice Flicks. Lawrence having a very solid game for the Panthers here this
evening. Probably said his name more than anybody else's for Nottingham here this evening
so far. Panther still with the pressure, giving it in the Manchester Storm zone. Behind the
net, looking for the wrap around here. Comes away, good shot in on target there. Clemente
making sure that the goal was well and truly blocked. They don't call in the brick wall
for nothing, you know.
Don't say that when they've got possession. You make me nervous. Still trying to get something
on the puck here. Nottingham cycling it well around the zone as a deflection on that flies
up over the net.
Certainly the Panthers with the ascendancy other than a couple of good shots for the
Manchester Storm. Score remains Manchester Storm 1. Nottingham Panthers 0-15-13 on the
plate lock in this second period and the Panthers continue to pile the pressure on. Trying
to get across in front of the goal. Possible break there here from the Storm Valkac. He's
got two with him. Sends it into the corner. Packles coming out to clear that. Fighting
for the puck behind the net. Good chasing. You know, I think that was Karshe was chasing
the puck in for Manchester there. It was Adam Harding actually. Here comes the Panthers
Harding again getting in the thick of the action. Winning the puck back for Manchester
Storm. It's all getting a little bit scrappy around the Manchester Storm D. Omar Pasha
sitting on the Storm bench won't be liking how things are going at the moments. Adam
Harding clearing the possible breakaway. He could be on here, no.
He's getting across to cover for the Panthers. It's Jason Williams. He takes it around and
he scores. There's a lovely goal there. Lovely goal. Mike Clemente the wrong way. Little
depth flick around the corner and then over the top of Clemente's pads. He evens things
up here in the Storm shelter. Manchester Storm 1. Nottingham Panthers 1. You see him coming
in there facing up against Trevor Johnson. Little toe drag round and a backhand finish.
Nice goal. Unfortunately. Still coming away with the puck there. Earhart to Dzynski but
it's been flicked back to the Nottingham Panthers. Brian McGratton trying to get the puck away.
McGratton gives it away though. Possible break here. Darian Dzynski. Centreised for Manchester
Storm just pushed out of things there by Macmillan for the Panthers. We do have a whistle on
the play though. The delayed call on the Nottingham Panthers. I do wish the officials had stopped
giving these delayed calls behind the TV screens so we could actually see them. Yeah, we're
up and down. We're crouching up and down. It's like a game of whack-a-mole. So we've
got toilet troubles and whack-a-mole for the forecast next season. That's that all sorted.
Jeff Brown, who's gone to the box for the Nottingham Panthers. Opportunity now for Manchester
Storm to have a bit of a puck. Two minutes of slashing then for Jeff Brown. He's in the
penalty box for Manchester Storm on the power plane. As Simon just said, they'll be looking
to capitalise here. They're looking to get some good puck possession back as well, because
like you said, Nottingham have really been dominant in this second period so far. Panthers
are certainly not going to let this one go lying down though, pushing high up the ice.
Looking to retain the possession. Trevor Johnson with the puck just on the blue line for Manchester
Storm. Fires it in to Mario Trabuco looking for that way, looking for that open pass.
Across shot coming in. Tackle smothers that one. Not enough traffic in front of the keeper
for my liking. You see Jack Prince in there, but not close enough to him. 649 left to go
in the second periods. 123 left on that Jeff Brown penalty. Storm will be looking to win
the draw on this one for sure. Trevor Johnson setting himself up from up and centre ice
on the blue line, so where he's fired a few shots home from this season. And here is Johnson.
Storm continued to cycle the puck, looking for that passing lane. Trabuco to Bissonette
behind the Nottingham Panthers net. Back to Trabuco, back to Bissonette. Quick movement
here in the puck is that shot from Trevor Johnson. And it flies over the shoulder of
Tackle in the Panthers net. We said Trevor Johnson has got a habit of those slap shots
on the blue line, Simon, and there is a prime example of Storm retake the lead. Yeah, and
a bit of traffic in front of the keeper like we just said. It was Prince in the Panthers
day just clocking his vision. Trevor Johnson, the goal scorer. Let's have another look
at this one. Boom. That is training ground hockey really. Wide open on the blue line,
back in front of the net. Jack Prince moving across to open that lane up. Tackle can't
see a thing. Straight into the top corner of the Nottingham Panthers net, with 6.29 left
to go in the second period. The Manchester Storm captain, Trevor Johnson, puts Storm
back in the league, assisted by Mario Trabuco. And from a Manchester Storm perspective, once
again, Simon, the other pleasing aspect of that really is we haven't been great on the
power play either this season. No, I've been alright on the penalty kill, but not the power
play. If you look at the overall stats of the Manchester Storm, it's been the defences
quite well. I think the fourth overall with goals against, but we are really poor in the
goals for section, which has cost Manchester Storm a higher place in the league. And immediately
the Nottingham Panthers have equalised, I have to say. Taylor Dickens trying to get that
run away from behind the Manchester Storm net. Total miss hit from Taylor Dickens, allowed
the Nottingham Panthers to steal the puck back. Think of it as David Clarke who got it across
the net there, and putting quite comfortably by Andy Sertich. The lead didn't stay for
long, we're back to all square. Manchester Storm 2, Nottingham Panthers 2, and five minutes,
50 seconds left to go in the second period. Yeah, he just snuck away from Conor Valley
on the boards there. Just got out in front, and there he was, Johnny on the spot, put
the puck in the back of the net. Once again, there's an imperative that the Manchester
Storm don't let their heads drop. Erie Nielsen getting stuck in there in centre-ice. Nottingham
Panthers be keen to keep hold of puck possession here. Great pass out from the Panthers there,
great control as well. Really well taken over on the far side by Nicky Forruk. Five behind,
here comes a slap shot, miss hit from the blue line. Possible break here for the Storm.
Paul Phillips is two on one. And I think the Nottingham Panthers player actually took himself
out there, trying to take Paul Phillips out just in front of goal, actually lost his skate
and went flying, and wasn't a million miles away from taking Packal out with him. We've
got a straight stick out on the ice as well. That must have been a very close offside call
there. I have to say, look very, very close. Nicky Forruk coming away for the Panthers.
He's heading off to the bench. Line change for Nottingham. Manchester looking to bring
that puck away. Fied over the top. Jack Prince chasing it down for the Manchester Storm.
Two on one. Prince looking for support. He's coming to be pinned against the board. That
support comes from, I think it was Mario Trabuco there. Jeff Brown bringing the puck back up
the ice, though, for Nottingham. Very quick pace to this game once again. Whenever the
game seems to be equal, the speed seems to increase exponentially. Great between the
legs from Matt Bissonette there. Trying to pass back through traffic. Once again, the
puck getting lost. Mario Trabuco couldn't quite get the shot off. Panthers looking to
advance. Four on two at the moment. Coming in shot from there, and Mike Clemente smothers
it much to the relief of the Manchester Storm fans, because the Panthers had men over there.
Yeah, I think it was one too many passes here. I think they played more directly. They've
had a bit more joy. But luckily for the Manchester Storm, Clemente catches hold of that and we
have a face off. As Farmer, he put the initial pass straight across the front of the Manchester
Storm. Now, was it a bit grassy who got the shot away? That wasn't quite sure. The main
thing is that it was smothered from a Manchester Storm point of view. The Panthers continue
their pressure, though, very much in the dominate in this second period. Trying their look as
well from wide there. That shot go into the side of Mike Clemente's net in the Storm goal.
Storm looking to block it. And that's happened. I'm not quite sure what's happened. Paul Swindler
seems to be stood on top of the net. Mike Clemente is underneath the net. Yeah, Mike Clemente
in the mouse trap there. Anyone that had that board game from years ago? With 347 in the
second, Manchester Storm 2, Nottingham Panthers 2. We are all square. No goals anywhere else
in the elite league as of yet. Keeping our eyes on that for you, we'll catch up with
the table as it stands as well at the end of this second period. Shot from the blindside
there from the Panthers. Clemente managed to smother that. I think it hit his chest pads
and then he managed to grab it as it dropped down his body. This is going to be a massive
three minutes, 41 seconds now for Storm. They've weathered this pressure. They're coming out
even Stevens. This isn't a bad point. Need a result. It's going to be a huge three minutes,
41 seconds, like I say, just to get through this period. A couple of goals in quick succession
in Dundee. It's Dundee, 0-5, Flyers 2. Up in the Dundee ice arena. That game heading
towards the end of the first period up in Dundee. As you were everywhere else, shots
looking too tidy things up here for the Panthers. Flicks it straight across the goal of Manchester
Storm. Stick from Mike Clemente. Things bobble up. Could have been awkward there for the
Storm. Packer looking to pass that one out after gloving the puck. But the Storm chasing
in means he holds on to it. We're out of breath again. 3-17 to go. Look left, look right,
look left, look right. It's like cardio up here. It's like a full workout. I can see
one of the Manchester Storm fitness and strength guys, Sam Bell sitting there, not a million
miles away from us. That's a special neck exercise. It's for commentary. You can take
as long as you want for this face-off for my liking. Chris Wells not happy for some
reason with Jason Williams being in the face-off circle there. Heatly wins that draw for Manchester
Storm. But the Panthers come away with the puck once again. Jason Williams now chasing
up the ice, cleared down by Earhart. Could be a break on here for Mark Heatly for Manchester
Storm. Blocked between the pads of Packer. I don't think he actually knew where it had
gone. Yeah, I was watching that break away. I don't know if we'll get it on the replay
if you watch. That puck just does not sit down. It stood up, stood up, stood up. When
he took the shot, he still stood up. And actually, it did go underneath Packer's pads as you
just saw it. And as he lost his balance and went back, one of the Panthers did manage
to scoop the puck from underneath his pads and take it away. It was cleared away for
an icing call. Good to see some Manchester Storm pressure towards the end of this second
period. Not been a great deal of it at all during this 20-minute spell. Looking to keep
control of the puck and just stay, just looking to calm things down, maybe just a little bit.
That Bissonet fires the shot across. Prince was going the other way. Prince does have
the puck now, though. Two Nottingham players straight in there. It's Trebucho firing it
across into the lane. Mischop by Conor Varly. That gets closed down very quick by Sokarnis,
who now tries to bring it away for the Panthers. Good cover play there from the Storm. Bissonet
with a quick outlet pass. Jack Prince once again. And he shoots straight into Packer's
glove. There was no one chasing in there for the Manchester Storm, so Packer probably had
a little bit more time than he realised, but still. Smothering that, keeping it in his
glove. And with 2-12 left to go in this second period, we'll have another face-off in the
Nottingham Panthers defensive zone. Two all the score. Don't forget StormTV Live is that
hashtag. If you want to come and say hello, you can drop us a tweet. We'll give you a
mention at the end of this second period. Let us know how your heart rate is doing at
home watching this. I've got my Fitbit actually on my... Oh, shot there for the Manchester
Storm. Kind of ricocheted around the Nottingham Panthers net. Paul Phillips, well, they put
bobbling once again as Paul Phillips grabs that away from the kickboards. Fired up the
line, dicking, tries to get it to Cauchy. And now it's Brown with it for the Nottingham
Panthers coming in, looks to play it, plays it back into the lane. Lee trying to get it
back in there. Puck goes behind the net. It's all very scrappy, all very feisty once again.
That Puck just will not sit down. There's a combination with the warm pucks and soft
dives. Good block there from the Manchester Storm and they've got a two-on-two to a three-on-three
conch. Quite get the pass across. And now Jason Williams coming away with it for the
Nottingham Panthers. Dallas Earhart standing tall, standing big for the Manchester Storm.
Great work by the big D-man there. Henshaws the final 60 seconds and we'll have an icing
call there. Just trying to work out exactly what's going on here at the start of the third
period. The players in conversation with the officials in the centre of the ice. So we
are waiting for the ice pad to dry a little bit. Now it could be two things here. The
referee did blow before the buzzer. So maybe it's cheers, there's cheers I think Sheffield
have won. Well if Pash didn't want the players to know, they know now. But meanwhile, back
at the Storm Shelter. It hasn't been confirmed on my screen in front of me as of yet. But
the reaction from the Storm Shelter would indicate that it is all over in Sheffield.
And if that is the final score, Sheffield Steelers for Coventry Blaze won. That means that the
Manchester Storm are into the quarter-finals of the playoffs. How good does that sound?
I've got goosebumps. Almost as good as knowing that this team's come back a couple of years
ago. Fantastic to have me club back and now we're going to be playing in the playoffs
next weekend. Absolutely fantastic. Okay we have a development due to the ice surface
here in Ortingham. The officials, the teams and the team management have decided to forego
the third period. We are going to go straight into a penalty shootout Simon. We're going
straight to penalty shots. Well, wow. We didn't see this one coming, did we? Starrion
Dzynski from Manchester Storm will take the first penalty shot against Packle. Dzynski
comes in and it's a miss for Dzynski. Packle stood tall, well wide that shot. They tried
to outweigh Packle. Packle having none of it. Panthers get their turn. Now just looking
at this, they're using the same net for both keepers. So my theory would be that the problem
is going to be at the top end of the ice then. Mike Clemente, what would have been Mike
Clemente's net for the third period? It's still shining. It looks very wet as Lawrence
goes in for his penalty. Chris Lawrence taking the first penalty for the Nottingham Panthers
against Mike Clemente and the Panthers score. Looks very five-hole-esque, that one. I love
it. You can tell you're behind the TV. You can tell.
I might have won the 50-50. Oh, hang on, penalties. Matt Bissonnette from Manchester
Storm. Oh, that was lovely. I'm so glad we'll get to see that again. Replay, please. That
was a thing of beauty from Matt Bissonnette. One way, brings it back, tucks it in behind
Packle. He goes sliding across the ice. Cheeky boy. Cheeky, cheeky, cheeky. Number two,
it's Schultz for the Panthers. The second Nottingham penalty as he comes in on Clemente's net. That
was five-hole. Definitely five-hole. Storm needs to score this one. And it's Mark Heatley
for the Manchester Storm coming out onto the ice. Even though it has gone down a penalty
shot, Simon, you can't help but kind of feel it. You know, there's no pressure. I don't
think anyone's actually really bothered about the result of this one now. Mark Heatley coming
in, and it is shamed by Packle. Now, like you said, I'm glad it's over. I'll get more
beer time after this. We're in the playoffs. I think everyone's happy.
Well, Manchester Storm have done it. They've made it to the playoffs for the first time
since they returned. I think there was a huge side-release. There were party poppers in
the stands. Everybody was having such a great time. Well, a bit of a bizarre end to the
game, I suppose. The third period cancelled and went to penalty shoots. And hey, Manchester
Storm didn't win. Nottingham took the win, three-two in that penalty shootout. But hey,
it meant because Coventry lost and Sheffield won, Manchester went through. Our commiserations
go to Coventry. We know what it feels like not to make that eighth place. As if people
cast their mind back to last season, it was Coventry that stole that eighth place away
from us. So anyway, some amazing words said, the players looked like they were so relieved,
the fans were relieved, and more games will continue. But before that, you may have caught
a little bit of Omar Pasha talking. He was benched tonight, but he took to the ice after
the game to pay his tribute and thanks to fans, players, and also the staff.
In the last one, I'd like to say to these guys, a bunch of boys, it might be boring this year
but I'm real. The boys doubted for a lot of injuries, a lot of different things if they
couldn't control. You know, we went down a few times this season, but you know what,
we always came back up. And we're going to keep going out next Sunday at 5.30 a.m.
So real great words for Omar Pasha, and we all know how hard he works behind the scenes.
And what a relief. Well, two more games now, so you'll have to have another hockey night
in Manchester. You know, just a little cheeky extra one. So the games next week, Saturday
will be against Cardiff Devils, that will be in Ice Arena Wales, and then another Sunday
night here in Ultraman, right here. And it basically is an aggregate win, so the best
of two, just like the Challenge Cup. Incredibly nervous, but hey, we've improved since last
year and they've Cardiff get the Grand Slam, well, you know, so be it. I'm not going to
be too despondent, but hey, in this game, everybody knows anything can happen. We've
already seen that. All the tickets and everything is on ManchesterStorm.com, and also the podcast
will be out on Thursday, the forecast. So you'll catch up with the rounds of the guys
of what's happened elsewhere across the Elite League this week as well. But in the meantime,
as we always say, and I'm so glad I get to say this, at least one more time, always take
the weather with you.
