MANCHESTER Storm endured a pointless weekend despite scoring plenty of goals against high-flying and big-spending Cardiff Devils and Belfast Giants.

On Saturday, Storm entertained Cardiff Devils and lost 5-2.

Goals from Dallas Ehrhardt and Evan Richardson kept Storm in the game until the closing stages but the current champions proved too strong and sealed the game in the final period.

On Sunday, Storm went into a 2-0 lead after only eight minutes with goals from Richardson and Luke Moffatt but the Giants fought back with three quick goals while Storm had players in the sin bin to lead 3-2 after the first period.

Storm fought back and trailed 5-4 with five minutes remaining with goals from Ciaran Long and a second from Richardson but Belfast delivered the killer blow in the closing minutes.

This weekend Storm fly to Belfast to play the Giants on both Friday and Saturday night.

They then return to Manchester and entertain Glasgow Clan at The Storm Shelter on Boxing Day (5.30pm).

This game is quickly followed by away trips to Glasgow and Sheffield before Storm play their annual ‘War of the Roses’ game against Sheffield Steelers in Altrincham on New Year's Day (5.30pm).