BBC SPORT | Other Sports | Longstaff inspires Storm



By Stuart Hughes BBC Sport Online

Tynesider David Longstaff set a new Superleague record on Thursday as Manchester Storm beat London Knights 5-4 at the MEN Arena.

The Great Britain captain's third-period strike made him the highest-scoring British born-and- trained player in ISL history, beating Tony Hand's record of 101 goals.

But Storm found themselves 2-0 down after 20 minutes.

Six minutes into the game, Sean Blanchard fired home from just inside the blue line.

David Longstaff
Longstaff beat Tony Hands' record of 101 goals

And with 1:28 remaining in the period Geoff Peters gave away the puck and let Dennis Maxwell through for a short-handed goal.

Peters, though, made amends with a powerplay marker three minutes into the second period.

And at 24:41 Ryan Stewart sent the puck to Pierre Allard in the high slot. He hammered it home to level the game.

But Dan Hodge put Manchester ahead for the first time before Longstaff chalked up his historic milestone.

A tip in from Paul Rushforth with six minutes remaining put the game back within London's grasp.

Allard restored Storm's two-goal advantage 1:45 before the final buzzer, although a Sean Blanchard goal 13 seconds from time made for a tense finish.

We're going to be short going in to Belfast that's for sure

Sheffield Steelers coach Mike Blasidell

Meanwhile, Sheffield Steelers will be hoping to overcome their injury problems when they face Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

The Superleague leaders will make it through to the semi-finals of the competition if they can gain a point at the Odyssey Arena.

However, as well as losing Scott Levins, who has a broken foot, there are also doubts over defenceman Dion Darling and another unnamed player.

Steelers coach Mike Blasidell said: "We're going to be short going in to Belfast that's for sure.

"Darling is 50-50 at best and we had some bad news on another guy.

"I know we shouldn't be moaning about anything right now coming on the back of the great start we have had.

"However, you always want more and we want this Challenge Cup game in Belfast."