Game Preview: Storm Host Steelheads, Sunday at 4pm
February 25, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
In the final game of a 3 game weekend, the Storm return home to host the Mississauga Steelheads. Puck drop is set for 4pm. These two teams have only played each other one time this season, a game that ended with a 5-6 overtime loss for the Storm. Both Cam Hillis and Isaac Ratcliffe had a goal and an assist in the game.
Fans can purchase tickets either in-person at the Sleeman Centre Box Office, by calling (519) 837-9690 or online at ticketmaster.com here.
Mississauga Steelheads
After reaching the OHL finals last year, the Steelheads currently sit 8th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 27-28-1-2. With 57 points on the season, they hold the final playoff spot in the East and could be a dark horse to make a deep run in the playoffs.
One of the bright spots for Mississauga has been defenceman Nicolas Hague. He has strung together a historic season for the Steelheads. With 29 goals and counting, he now holds the franchise record for single season goals by a defenceman. He is also the team's leading scorer this year with 61 points. That total comes from his 29 goals and 32 assists.
Guelph Storm
A tough loss against the Colts last night and the Storm are winless in six games. With a record of 27-24-3-4, they currently hold the 7th seed in the Western Conference. Their 61 points place them just one point behind the Spirit for sixth and seven points behind the Knights for 5th. With nine games left in the season, there is still a chance for the Storm to move up in the standings.
Ratcliffe has been one of the Storm's most consistent players this season. With 55 points, he has already surpassed his career high of 54 that he recorded last season with 11 games still to go. His 230 shots leads the team, he has four game winning goals and has recorded the most goals on the Storm by far this season with 32.
Head to Head
2017-18 Regular Season
MISS 1-0-0-0 GUE 0-1-0-0
2016-17 Regular Season
MISS 1-1-0-0 GUE 1-1-0-0
Last Five Years
MISS 4-4-0-1 GUE 5-3-1-0
Last Five Years At Mississauga
MISS 3-2-0-0 GUE 2-3-0-0
Last Five Years At Guelph
MISS 1-2-0-1 GUE 3-0-1-0
Top Scorers
Last 5 Games
Match Up
Mississauga Guelph
Season Record 27-28-1-2 27-24-3-4
Last 10 Games 4-4-1-1 3-4-2-1
Streak 3-0-0-0 0-3-2-1
Last Game 4-0 W vs Niagara (2018-02-23) Final 5-3 L @ Barrie (2018-02-24) Final
Home Record 19-9-0-1 16-8-3-2
Away Record 8-19-1-1 11-16-0-2
Goals For 206 190
Goals Against 214 218
Power Plays 59/234 (25.2%) 48/215 (22.3%)
Power Plays - Home 38/122 (31.1%) 18/103 (17.5%)
Power Plays - Away 21/112 (18.8%) 30/112 (26.8%)
Penalty Killing 47/228 (79.4%) 41/203 (79.8%)
Penalty Killing - Home 13/110 (88.2%) 18/104 (82.7%)
Penalty Killing - Away 34/118 (71.2%) 23/99 (76.8%)
Leading Rookie Schwindt (8-9-17) Hillis (19-35-54)
Most Penalty Minutes Nicolas Hague Ryan Merkley
Team PIM/GM 11.2/58 9.1/58
Players to Watch
This game features 10 players drafted into the NHL. Guelph has 6 of them, being Liam Hawel (Dallas Stars), Nate Schnarr (Arizona Coyotes), Alexey Toropchenko (St. Louis Blues), Isaac Ratcliffe (Philadelphia Flyers), Mark Shoemaker (San Jose Sharks) and Dmitri Samorukov (Edmonton Oilers). The final 4 players are Michael McLeod (New Jersey Devils), Owen Tippett (Florida Panthers), Jacob Morerare (Los Angeles Kings) and Nicolas Hague (Vegas Golden Knights), all Mississauga players.
After making the Panther's opening day roster, winger Owen Tippett was sent back after 7 games with the team. In just 41 games for the Steelheads this season, he has scored 28 goals and 32 assists for 60 points. Alexey Toropchenko has been heating up for the Storm. In the last 6 games, he's scored 4 goals in that stretch and 7 total points.
Upcoming Game
Up next, the Storm face another three game weekend starting off with a visit from the Flint Firebirds at the Sleeman Centre on Friday, March 2nd. Saturday they head to Owen Sound for the eighth and final match up this year before returning home on Sunday to host the Kitchener Rangers for a 2pm puck drop.
Tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday and can be purchased either in-person at the Sleeman Centre Box Office, by calling (519) 837-9690 or online at ticketmaster.com.
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