The Blaze made a fast start and took the lead just 90 seconds into the match when Matthew Gleason finished a wrist shot from close range after good work from Man of the Match William Boysen to create the chance.
Coventry looked to build on the early momentum and created several strong chances in the opening period.
Storm goalkeeper Drew DeRidder had to strangely deny Boysen, Elijah Barriga and Gleason, while David Clements hit the post with a shot from the blue line as the Blaze pushed for a second goal.
Manchester were short-handed midway through the period, but Blaze netminder Mat Robson was rarely tested as Coventry had the best chances.
The home team thought they had doubled their lead early in the second period, but the puck ended up on the side of the net.
Storm gradually grew into the match and eventually leveled with just under six minutes remaining when Dante Hannoun’s shot was ruled to have gone over the line after a video review confirmed the puck had rebounded off the crossbar.
Manchester started the third period with the power play and later took the lead at 51.55. Zach Sullivan’s point shot was spilled by Robson, allowing Stephen Johnson to convert the rebound and give the Storm the lead.
Coventry responded well and applied sustained pressure in the closing minutes. With 3.33 remaining, after some excellent attacking play from the Blaze, Boysen buried the equalizer to bring his side back on level terms and force extra time.
Neither team could find a winner in the extra period, leaving each team to claim a point.
In the shoot-out, Hannoun scored for Manchester in the opening round. After four scoreless rounds, former Blaze forward JD Dudek converted in the fifth to secure the extra point for the Storm.
Photo credit: Scott Wiggins
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