MANCHESTER Storm’s winning run continued with another maximum-point weekend with wins at Milton Keynes and Guildford in the Elite League.

The run of form with 11 wins in 13 games running up to last weekend was always going to be tested, but Storm continued their impressive run which delighted head coach Ryan Finnerty.

They beat Milton Keynes 4-1, thanks to goals from Andrew McKinney, Ryan Trenz, Luke Moffatt and Dane Byers, before a 4-3 win against Guildford courtesy of strikes from Matt Beca, Byers, Moffatt and three successful shootout efforts from Mike Hammond.

Finnerty said: “That’s nine wins on the trot and 13 in 15.

"We have now qualified for the play-offs, 10 games early but we must maintain our form and positive attitude.

"I set the players a target of a top-four finish and we are now aiming higher and what better test than this Saturday when we entertain league leaders Cardiff at the Storm Shelter."

Storm went into the weekend without Ciaran Long, who was suffering from concussion after an illegal hit in the win against Coventry Blaze the previous week, but the squad pulled together to make up for his absence.

Finnerty added: “I thought net-minder Mike Clemente had a great weekend and Mike Hammond was so cool in the shootout to win the game for us.”

The game against Cardiff Devils at The Storm Shelter on Saturday evening is followed by another trip down to Guildford Flames on Sunday.

Ryan Finnerty is looking forward to Saturday evening's game in particular, as a former player at Cardiff.

He said: “ We will have captain Jay Rosehill back on Saturday night and his experience at playing at the highest level in the NHL is going to be crucial for us as we aim to finish the season as high in the table placings as possible.”