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 Guelph Storm

Game Preview: Storm Host Sting in Talk Today Game

February 11, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


Facing off against the Sarnia Sting for the second time this season, the Guelph Storm also feature a partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association in the Talk Today game on Friday night.

Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---

The Storm host the Sting on Friday night with the Erie Otters visiting on February 15th, giving Storm fans the opportunity to capitalize on the $11 Weekend Deal! Purchase a regular ticket to Friday's game, and add a ticket to Monday's match-up with the Otters for just $11! Get your tickets HERE.

Friday is the Storm's Talk Today game - for more information on the partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, click HERE.

The last time the Guelph Storm (11-33-4-2) and the Sarnia Sting (29-15-5-2) met, things certainly didn't go as planned for the Royal City.

Looking to put the 7-0 loss suffered back on Nov. 14 in Sarnia behind them, the Storm will be looking to find the win column as well with the most recent loss coming at the hands of the Owen Sound Attack in a 6-2 final this past Saturday. In the last 10 games played, the Storm have compiled a 3-4-1-2 record.

The Sting, on the other hand, are coming off a close 2-1 victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Wednesday after falling 4-3 to the London Knights on Feb. 7. Over the last 10 games, Sarnia has posted a 6-3-0-1 record.

Friday's game time is slated for 7:30pm.

Player Watch

Guelph Storm

With three goals in his last four games played, Nic Sicoly has taken over the lead among Storm rookie production with five goals for eight points in 47 games this season. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native also potted the shootout winner against the Saginaw Spirit in Guelph's last victory on Feb. 5. Off the score sheet, the five-foot-nine, 165-pound forward is rarely outworked on the ice, playing a complete 200-foot game on a nightly basis for the coined young Storm roster this campaign.

Second on the roster in points is sophomore Givani Smith, tallying for 30 points in 48 games this season. The Brampton, Ontario native is enjoying a career-year after surpassing his rookie point total of 19 compiled in 61 games through 2014-15, split between the Barrie Colts and the Storm. Although held off the score sheet in his last two games, the six-foot-one, 197-pound forward pocketed a goal against the Mississauga Steelheads back on Feb. 3, pulling to within one of the 20-goal mark for the first time in his two-year career.

Heating up offensively as of late is another second-year forward in Luke Burghardt. The Bowmanville, Ontario native has scored two goals in his last two games, and has seven over his last 15 games after recording six tallies through the first four months of the season. The five-foot-eleven, 170-pound forward has 22 points (13 goals, nine assists) in 45 games this campaign.

Sarnia Sting

The Sting's offense is surely not one to take lightly, especially following OHL Trade Deadline moves made by the Western Conference club. Prior to the trade, however, Sarnia boasted the likes of Pavel Zacha who did the most damage to the Storm in the 7-0 loss suffered back on Nov. 14. Registering two goals with five shots on net, the six-foot-three, 213-pound winger earned first star honours in the contest. Through 39 games this season, the Brno, Czech Republic native has compiled 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists). Over the last seven games, the New Jersey Devils prospect has posted four goals for eight points.

Registering back-to-back third period markers in the 7-0 win on Nov. 14, Jordan Kyrou will also be one to watch on Friday night. The Sting sophomore has 25 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 48 games this season, and is sitting just one point removed from matching his rookie point total of 36 previously set through 63 games in 2014-15.

Leading the Sting, however, is recently acquired Travis Konecny. The former Ottawa 67 will be making his first visit to the Sleeman Centre this season on Friday, and will bring along 73 points (19 goals, 54 assists) in 45 games attached to his resume. Playing 16 games with the Sting this campaign, the first round selection (24th overall) selection of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft has posted 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in his new jersey.

The Opponent: Sarnia Sting (29-15-5-2, 65 points)

Sitting fifth in the Western Conference with 65 points, the Sarnia Sting aren't a squad to take lightly.With a .637 win percentage through 51 games, boast a strong offense matched with a steady backend. A point of weakness, though, stands in discipline with the Sting holding the second most penalty minutes in the Ontario Hockey League with 801 - behind only that of the Eastern Conference's Barrie Colts (836). The Storm will need to keep discipline as a top priority come Friday's contest, to avoid playing the game of special teams. The Sting may be the second most penalized, however, still manage to hold the eighth best penalty kill in the league with 41 power play goals against on 231 given advantages. The Storm, on the other hand, are ranked 19th overall on the penalty kill with a 75.8 PK%.

GAME NOTES

Friday's game will be the second of four meetings between the Storm and the Sting this season.

The Sting hold a 1-0 season series lead after downing the Storm 7-0 in Sarnia back on Nov. 14.

Friday's match-up also features the Storm's Talk Today game, featuring a partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association. For more information, CLICK HERE.

The Storm are in Owen Sound following Friday's game, and then right back home for a Family Day match-up at 2:00pm on Monday afternoon.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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