MANCHESTER Storm's crunch match against Sheffield Steelers was called off two- and-a-half hours before face-off at the Manchester Evening News Arena last night ( Tuesday ) because sections of the ice had melted - making the surface dangerous.

Five thousand frustrated fans, some of whom had already turned up, missed the game and the Sheffield team bus was turned back after the decision was taken following a mechanical failure in the ice plant left the surface too thin to safely skate on.

Storm owner Gary Cowan today launched a scathing attack on SMG, the American company which manages the arena - and crisis talks are planned for tomorrow. Cowan has accused SMG of failing to react when, he claims, problems with the ice were reported three weeks ago. He also says they have failed to provide the support they promised when he bought the club in the summer.

John Sutherland, SMG's director of European Operations, refutes the accusations and slammed Cowan, accusing him of being a ''frustrated owner'' who is now ''moaning'' because his team is performing badly.

Cowan fury

Salford businessman Cowan said: ''I am appalled by what happened last night because we reported problems with the ice to SMG as long as three weeks ago.

''On Monday afternoon our coach Daryl Lipsey re-reported the ice after the team had practised in the Arena. At no point did SMG give us any indication that there might be a problem.

''Then at 5pm last night, just two-and-a half hours before a massive game against Sheffield Steelers, we are told the surface is unplayable.

''We were expecting at least 5,000 people and this is a huge blow financially. The fans are already upset about problems with the plexi-glass and the video wall and they will be even more unhappy after tonight.

''When I took over the Storm, the spirit of the contract agreement was that SMG would support me but that does not seem to be the case.''

There are crisis talks scheduled for tomorrow when Storm management and SMG will meet to try and solve these problems.

''If there is someone out there from the City Council, Marketing Manchester, the Commonwealth Games or anybody who can support me in this I would love to hear from them.''

Sutherland insists the problem was reported for the first time on Monday. He said on-site engineers tried to repair a malfunctioning compressor before the contractual engineers were brought in yesterday.

''They tried to get the thing corrected but at about 3-30 to four o'clock we learned that this would be problematic.

''We brought the ice hockey players, including coach Daryl Lipsey, onto the ice to look at it but they decided it was not playable.

''This is the first time I have heard about problems with the ice. It's funny how last season there was not a problem but there is this year. I've not been made aware of any problems and if I had we would have made an investigation. The ice plant is protected under a long term contract.''

The problems with the ice should be solved for the next home game on Sunday night against Nottingham Panthers.

Storm fans who did not request a refund can use their tickets for the rescheduled match.

Meanwhile John Knight, SMG's marketing director, said the plexi-glass will be replaced in the new year.

Storm travel to London on Thursday and Belfast on Saturday night.

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