ALTRINCHAM-based Manchester Storm suffered heartache losing to Belfast Giants 2-1 after penalty shots.

Storm took to the ice with passion and speed in the first quarter, and were once again rewarded for their efforts thanks to a beauty of a goal by new defenceman Ricards Birzinsh after just three minutes of play. The hosts dominated the first quarter and Giants keeper Stephen Murphy had to call on all his goal tending expertise to ensure the Storm didn't double their lead.

However, the pendulum swung the other way at the beginning of the second and the Giants were able to level things up after only 41 seconds of play, thanks to a power play goal by Colin Shields.

For the rest of the second, and all of the third was then end-to-end hockey with shots coming from all directions at both keepers.

The Giants and Storm both looked equally tired on the ice by the end of the third, and the game went into sudden-death overtime.

After five minutes of four-on-four play, and with no goal, both teams got ready for penalty shots.

It took nine rounds for someone to eventually to score past either keeper, who both deserved the man-of-the-match awards for their performances, but Giants star Mike Radja was able to slot past Zane Kalemba in the Storm goal to give the Giants the extra point.