Manchester Storm beat Guildford Flames 4-1 at Planet Ice Altrincham on Saturday evening, converting two power play goals inside five minutes at the end of the first period to overturn Guildford's early lead and then managing the result comfortably through the second and third. A referee-initiated video review disallowed what would have been a Guildford goal at 57:20 with the net empty, and Hinam's unassisted empty net goal at 59:07 sealed a win that puts Storm on W, L, L, W, W across their last five.

For Guildford, who came into the match having won four of their last five including last Sunday's 4-3 home win over Dundee, this is a first away defeat in three and ends a productive recent run. The disallowed goal at 57:20 — ruled out for the puck not fully crossing the line, on a referee-initiated review — will be a talking point in the Flames dressing room.

Guildford lead — Storm hit back twice in five minutes

Preziuso gave Guildford the lead at 8:44 — Brown and Gosselin assisting — to put the visitors ahead. Francis was penalised for tripping at 3:40 but Guildford didn't convert. Brown was then penalised for tripping at 13:51, and Gilmour converted Manchester's first power play at 15:34 — Welsh and Nardi assisting — to level at 1-1. Nixon's cross-checking at 18:28 handed Storm a second power play, and Cutler scored at 19:36 — Haden and Nardi assisting — to give Manchester a 2-1 lead with just 24 seconds of the first period remaining.

Two power play goals in 4 minutes and 2 seconds, both assisted by Nardi, and the match had been turned on its head. Guildford headed into the break having been outscored 2-1 in the final five minutes of the period despite their encouraging start.

Ulett makes it three — Guildford penalised twice

Manchester extended their lead at 22:23 in the second period through Ulett — Ergang and Harrison assisting — to make it 3-1 and move out of reach for a Guildford side who were now struggling to create clear opportunities. A bench minor for too many men against Manchester at 22:52 gave Guildford a power play they could not convert. Racine's boarding at 34:01 and Waller's slashing at 39:56 gave Manchester penalty kills in the second period, both of which they dealt with.

The second period ended 3-1 and the match was effectively over.

Third period — Guildford's goal disallowed, Hinam seals it

The third period turned on two key moments. At 57:20, Guildford had pulled Fazio for an extra skater and appeared to score — but the referees initiated a video review for the puck crossing the goal line and ruled it out. No goal. Fazio came back on at 59:07 at the same moment Hinam scored the empty net unassisted to make it 4-1 and confirm the result.

The disallowed goal is significant. Had it stood — with three minutes remaining and the net empty — it would have made it 3-2 and set up a tense finish. Instead, the video review kept the scoreline at 3-1 and Hinam immediately ended any hope of a Guildford comeback.

DeRidder in the Manchester goal had a comfortable evening after the first period's early scare, Guildford generating very little in the second and third. Fazio had little support in the Flames goal and conceded three goals against the run of play in the first period.

Result: Manchester Storm 4 – 1 Guildford Flames
Attendance: 2,350
Manchester Storm scorers: Gilmour 15:34 PP (A: Welsh, Nardi) — Cutler 19:36 PP (A: Haden, Nardi) — Ulett 22:23 (A: Ergang, Harrison) — Hinam 59:07 EN (unassisted)
Guildford Flames scorers: Preziuso 8:44 (A: Brown, Gosselin)
Goaltenders: Drew DeRidder (MAN) | Justin Fazio (GUI)
Note: Guildford had a goal disallowed at 57:20 via referee-initiated video review (puck not fully crossing the goal line)