Moving Onward to Manchester Storm

There isn’t a need to go too deep into the recent events that have rocked the hockey world, as the positives from the incident and collective movement since has shone a light on the EIHL, its competitors and its fans, as being an amazing community.

To all organisers, fundraisers, policy makers and genuinely compassionate fellow humans, I am so proud of you. Thank you. Adam Johnson will forever be remembered.

I urge to respect the clubs involved, his family principally and Matt Petgrave, whom despite some trolling from mainly USA accounts, it is safe to say, we are all behind you, always.

There will of course be a tribute to Adam Johnson prior to face off, as well as voluntary and mandated changes made by clubs and associations, no doubt more will develop during the season, not just in the EIHL, but world wide.

Recap

The last meeting saw the home side skate away as double header winners, scoring 7, conceding two. In all competitions, Devils have gone on a winning streak of 6 games, so hopefully this can continue.

Just one point separates the two sides in the league, with Storm playing one more game, a home win for the good guys should see them leap frog positions in the early standings so far.

One to Watch – Tyler Busch

Busch has scored in the last two meetings with Storm, with 7 points in his last 6 GP. Right now he is on a heater, scoring and contributing on either the top line or the third, respectively. His face-off stats are very good too, leading his team and in the top 10 overall.

Another to keep an eye on is Cole Sanford, he is yet to score or log any points n 6 league games, will the next fixture help snap that cold streak?

Battle Between The Pipes

Storms’ Weninger and Ben Bowns have been excellent so far, with Storms Number 1 goalie leading the league SV%, even after the last two games vs the good guys. Bowns is third overall in GAA, with his counterpart just behind him.

Given the previous two games, this fixture marks 2 of 3 home games vs the visitors, which would also add to their competitive edge, surely we should expect a closer game this time around?

Full Line Up

It should be about time to expect Evan Mosey to return to the roster since his knock at the start of the campaign, with Chad Pietroniro also expected to be fully healed.

However, with Crandall slotting in with Batch on D and Alderson joining the team, this will create a headache for the coach as to who to select and who will be scratched.

Brandt has been on a tear, setting a high standard with the ice time given, of which has affected the TOI for Sam Duggan. This is where one of the many battles within the squad will take place, as it will be a difficult task to place Barrow, Crandall and Alderson on the RW, whilst keeping them happy.

Also, I would expect Tyler Wall to get a start at a later date, as Bowns is in hot form.

This is a carbon opposite of season gone by, making it a refreshing outlook for the team, as they have been clicking and producing effectively well, scoring an average of 4.7 goals per game and conceding about 1.5 against.

Expected Line Up vs Manchester Storm

Trevor Cox – Joey Martin – Cole Sanford

Cole Ully – Jamie Arniel – Ryan Barrow

Brandon Alderson – Tyler Busch – Justin Crandall

Josh Waller – Ben Davies – Riley Brandt

Mark Richardson – Marcus Crawford

River Rymsha – Cody Donaghey

Chad Pietroniro – Evan Mosey

Ben Bowns

Tyler Wall

Scratches; Sam Duggan, Josh Batch