The Flyers and Storm met for the second consecutive weekend in what was their final meeting of the season. The Storm gave Evan Weninger the start in net and were without Kyle Locke and Stephen Johnson. For the Flyers it was a case of one out and two returning. Keaton Jameson was added to the injury list along with Johan Porsberger and Mason Alderson but Josh Winquist and Simon Despres were both added after missing out the night before. Shane Owen was given the start in net and Cole Giannandrea was also added to the bench.
Andrew McLean took the puck for a skate end to end inside the opening minute but just lost the handle on the puck as he went in on the Storm net and the danger was scrambled clear. The visitors opened the scoring with their first look at net as Owen saved the initial shot from Gary Haden but the puck fell onto the stick of Brandon Cutler who had plenty of net to aim for. The Storm went on the powerplay in the 3rd minute as Depres was called for interference. Owen made a big pad save from a Cutler shot from the slot and he was sharp again late in the penalty kill as he thwarted a down low effort from Kaleb Ergang as the Flyers returned to full strength unscathed. The Storm continued to look the more dangerous side and they went back on the man advantage in the 9th minute as Winquist despite his very audible protest was sent to the bin for a high stick. The Flyers penalty kill was strong and they returned to full strength without the Storm getting any quality chances on Owen. Winquist was immediately in action on his return to the ice as Weninger was happy to hang on to his wrist shot. A Nick Welsh shot from the point was gloved by Owen in the 14th minute and moments later the Flyers keeper fought off a shot by Haden. In the 16th minute Jeremy Masella and JD Dudek engaged at the benches and both dropped the gloves with both being served 5 minute fighting majors. Weninger just got enough of the puck on a 17th minute shot from the blueline by Milan Lucic and in the final minute of the period Lucic set up a slam dunk chance for Justin Ducharme who just failed to get the touch needed.
Weninger was first in action in the 22nd minute with a big glove save on a Winquist shot from the slot. Owen plucked the puck out of the air through traffic in the 23rd minute following a shot from distance by Bradley Jenion. The Storm had a great chance a minute later as Harrison Caines missed the net on the short side with Owen scrambling across from his opposite post. Weninger came up with a solid stop in the 25th minute to deny a close in tip by Logan Neilson. The Storm passed up another chance in the 28th minute as they caught the Flyers on an odd man rush and with Owen sprawling in desperation across his goal Cutler directed the puck wide of the net. In the 29th minute Masella worked his way through the Storm defence but got in too close in Weninger who covered up. A sharp angled shot in the 30th minute by Neilson knocked the mask off of Weninger who moments later stood tall to deny a close in tip by Ducharme. In the 33rd minute Owen made a great stop on Brady Gilmour before Winquist burst down the slot but Weninger again stayed big in his net. McLean was called for a trip in the 34th minute and vented his frustration at the decision and was handed a 2+10+ game for abuse of official to sent the Storm on a long 4 minute powerplay. Owen saved a one timer from Cutler with his pad and midway through the kill Ryan Nicholson was penalised for slashing the stick from a Storm player to give the visitors a two man advantage. They made this count as they moved the puck around and Gilmour set up Ergang with an easy goal at the back post at 35:40. Killing the second penalty Owen did well with another one time blast and the Flyers returned to full strength without further damage. The visitors stretched their lead however with a third goal at 37:29 when Owen made the initial save on a shot by Gilmour and Haden was Johnny on the Spot to slip the puck into the net. Loren Ulett was denied by a big blocker save by Owen in the final minute.
Ergang had a clear break in the 42nd minute and tried to go 5 hole but Owen shut the wickets. Weninger made a blocker save on a Neilson shot in the 45th minute and in the 47th minute Cutler drove the net from the right wing and tried to pick the far corner but Owen made a fine blocker stop. A blast from the high slot by Lucic got through the traffic but hit Weninger on the shoulder in the 48th minute. The Flyers went on the powerplay in the 50th minute as Haden caught Ian Scheid with a high stick. Some good combination play between Ducharme and Lucic saw Weninger cover up the puck on the edge of his crease. The Storm goalie then snagged a shot from Scheid from the high slot and then Neilson with Weninger well out of position hit the outside of the post with the net gaping as the Storm completed the kill. Ducharme with speed through the neutral zone was hooked by Caines in the 54th minute to return the Flyers to the powerplay. Weninger shrugged of a heavy shot by Despres and Owen came up with a pad save to deny Cutler on a shorthanded breakaway as the Storm returned to full strength. The visitors added another at 57:54 when Ulett from the right circle beat Owen low glove side. Owen made a big stop to deny Rais Francis in the 59th minute and with 38 seconds to go Caines was penalised for kneeing on Despres. Weninger had the final say as he robbed Ben Brown who shot from the side of the net only to see the Storm keeper get over to make the block and preserve his shutout.
Pic Credits – Jillian McFarlane and Derek Young
Flyers are next at home on Saturday 28th March when they entertain the Coventry Blaze – tickets can be bought online here: Tickets – Fife Flyers or look out on social media channels for box office opening times.
