Game Preview: Storm Begin Eastern Swing in Kingston
November 26, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
The Guelph Storm begin a two-game Eastern Conference road trip visiting the Kingston Frontenacs on Friday night.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---
With the next three games coming on the road, the Guelph Storm have a tough stretch ahead, facing off against some of the OHL's best.
Starting off with a two-game road trip in the East, the Storm first visit the Eastern Conference's second best in the Kingston Frontenacs on Friday night.
The Frontenacs have waivered recently, going 5-5-0-0 in their last 10 games played, and dropping two of their last three.
On the other side, the Storm will be looking to rewrite the last meeting between these two clubs, all the while putting an end to a six-game skid. Back on Oct. 25 in Guelph, the Storm put together one of their strongest games of the season, confidently holding a 2-0 lead over the Frontenacs. A late push from Kingston and a game winner potted in the last 30 seconds of the game, though, would deliver a heartbreaking loss.
Now looking at the rematch, the puck is slated to drop at 7pm.
Player Watch
Guelph Storm
Second-year forward Givani Smith, who is now only three goals removed from matching his rookie total of seven registered in 2014-15, earned third star honours in the last match-up between the Storm and the Frontenacs, potting a goal and an assist in the 3-2 loss. The six-foot-one, 197-pound forward has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 20 games so far this season.
James McEwan, the Storm's leading goal scorer, also had a strong display against the Frontenacs back on Oct. 25 at the Sleeman Centre. The Chatham, Ontario native registered a goal along with five shots in the effort. The 1997-born forward has totaled for 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 22 games this season, recording two goals and four assists through the month of November.
Looking to the blue line, defenseman Garrett McFadden is leading the way, tied with the Storm's highest point total with 12, compiling four goals and eight assists in 22 games this season. The total puts the third-year veteran just six points back of his career-high 18 points registered in 56 games in 2014-15. More recently, the Kincardine, Ontario native has posted three goals for six points in his last seven games.
Kingston Frontenacs
An obvious notable in yellow comes wearing No. 67: Lawson Crouse. In just 16 games this season, the Florida Panthers prospect has compiled 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists), averaging out 1.75-point(s)-per-game. Additionally, the six-foot-three, 212-pound forward has been held pointless only three times this season - all coming in the month of November.
Standing atop the Frontenacs in offensive production is Spencer Watson, recording 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 24 games. Following 68-points in 65 games in 2013-14, with 48-points in 41 games last season, the five-foot-nine, 170-pound forward is well on his way to writing a more than successful OHL career, totaling for 185 points in 193 games thus far. The London, Ontario native is a prospect of the Los Angeles Kings.
Looking at Kingston's most recent stretch, 1996-born forward Jared Steege has put together the best hockey up front for the Frontenacs, posting three goals for four points in his last four games played. In the club's last win, a 5-2 result over the Sudbury Wolves on Nov. 22, the Cobden, Ontario native earned third star recognition with one goal and an assist.
The Opponent: Kingston Frontenacs (14-8-1-1, 30 points)
First in the East Division, and second overall in the Eastern Conference, the Kingston Frontenacs have been one of the teams to beat this season.
With the Storm visiting on Friday, the Frontenacs boast a tough home record (6-2-1-0), dropping only three of their total 10 losses on home ice for a .722 winning percentage.
It's worth noting, however, that Kingston hasn't been the sharpest as of late, holding a 5-5-0-0 record over their last 10 games played, while dropping two of their last three. The most recent win for the Frontenacs came back on Nov. 22 in a 5-2 result over the Sudbury Wolves.
On top of one of the best records in the East, Kingston also holds the title of most penalized team in the Ontario Hockey League with 401 minutes on the season. Looking to Friday's match-up, the Storm bring 347 penalty minutes - the third most in the OHL. With that noted, Guelph will need to remain disciplined, especially after receiving 34 total penalty minutes in the last meeting between the two clubs on Oct. 25. The Storm managed to keep the Frontenacs off the board with special teams last time, shutting down five power play opportunities, however, couldn't avoid a late comeback effort overall in the 3-2 loss.
Last Match-Up: Kingston 3 @ Guelph 2 (Oct. 25, 2015)
GAME NOTES
Friday night's match-up will be the last meeting this season for the Frontenacs and the Storm.
Playing once earlier in the season on Oct. 25, Kingston grabbed the 3-2 win over Guelph at the Sleeman Centre.
Following Friday's game, the Storm return to action on Saturday afternoon, visiting the Ottawa 67's for a 1pm start.
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