Back-To-Back Power Play Markers Sink Storm in Mississauga
Published on February 3, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
Back-to-back power play goals scored by Mason Marchment did the damage on Wednesday night, as the Guelph Storm fell 4-1 to the Mississauga Steelheads.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---
It started off well.
The Guelph Storm held the momentum and controlled the tempo for the first period on Wednesday night before eventual back-to-back power play goals scored by Mason Marchment in the third period sunk the visitors to a 4-1 loss.
Netminder Michael Giugovaz, fresh off of being named OHL Goaltender of the Week on Wednesday afternoon, put together another solid performance between the pipes, turning aside 35 of 39 shots on the night.
At the other end, Jack Flinn saw 36 shots, saving 35.
Offensively, Marchment did the heavy lifting for the Steelheads, while Nathan Bastian (one goal, one assist), Michael McLeod (two assists), and Alexander Nylander (two assists) all recorded two-point nights for Mississauga.
Givani Smith had Guelph's lone goal in the contest.
The opening frame set the game's tone early, with both teams noticeably out to earn control and momentum. As the pace picked up, with opportunities coming at either end, the Storm were slowing the Steelheads and gaining the edge in an energy filled first period.
Although outshooting the Steelheads 13-9 after the first 20 minutes of play, the Storm weren't able to beat Flinn, as both goaltenders - handling the end-to-end action in perfect fashion - forced the second period to begin with the team's locked up at zeroes.
An early mishap to start the middle frame cost the Storm, as the Steelheads found themselves on a three-on-none to start the period. Nicolas Hague, scoring his sixth of the season, opened the scoring on the rush with just 26 seconds played in the frame. The OHL's leading rookie scorer in Alexander Nylander added the helper on the tally.
The match-up, already showing qualities of a rivalry, became more heated for the cross-conference squads, with plenty of extracurricular activity happening after the whistle.
With 8:04 played in the second, rookie Kyle West and Daniel De Sousa elevated the contest's frustrations, partaking in an altercation that led to each receiving five minutes for fighting.
The focus turned to offense six minutes later with Smith picking up a Steelheads' turnover along the boards. From there, James McEwan took hold of the play, firing one on Flinn. Smith made no mistake on the extra chance, burying the rebound to get the Storm on the board and tie things up at one with 14:18 played.
Later, with six seconds left in the second, the turning point in the game stood in another scrum following the whistle. Marc Stevens would receive the only penalty, given two for roughing putting the Storm down a man to start the third period.
With just seconds remaining on the power play in the opening two minutes of the final frame, Marchment finished off a pretty tic-tac-toe play on the backdoor, scoring his 14th of the season. Michael McLeod and Owen Tippett were also in on the passing play, tallying assists on the goal.
Three minutes later, Stevens was sent to the box again - this time for tripping - giving the Steelheads their third power play on the night. Extending the home squad's lead to two, Marchment netted his second straight on the man advantage with 6:22 played in the third.
Nathan Bastian added one more with just over three minutes left on the clock, ultimately sealing the 4-1 victory for the Steelheads.
The Storm are back in action this Friday, hosting the Saginaw Spirit for a 7:30pm puck drop.
GAME NOTES
The Storm and the Steelheads met for the second and final time this season on Wednesday.
The Storm won the first match-up 4-3 in a shootout back on Dec. 19.
The last time Guelph lost while visiting Mississauga was Nov. 29, 2009.
Wednesday also marked Storm captain C.J. Garcia's 20th birthday.
The Storm return to action on Friday, hosting the Saginaw Spirit at 7:30pm.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2016
- Back-To-Back Power Play Markers Sink Storm in Mississauga - Guelph Storm
- Flint Wins Overtime Thriller in Saginaw for I-75 Divide Cup Lead - Flint Firebirds
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- Sting Slip Past Rangers in OT - Kitchener Rangers
- Spirit Come up Short in 4-3 Overtime Loss to Firebirds - Saginaw Spirit
- Sexagenarian Butler on Points, Cake, Icing - North Bay Battalion
- Dineen Sets Routine: Rookie of the Month - North Bay Battalion
- OHL Announces Disciplinary Action - OHL
- OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for January - OHL
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- OHL and CMHA Ontario Team up this Month to Raise Awareness about Mental Health - OHL
- Barrett Mundell Commits to the Oshawa Generals - Oshawa Generals
- Preview: Battle for I-75 Divide Cup Heats up Wednesday Night - Flint Firebirds
- DiPietro Named Precision Jewellers Player of the Month - Windsor Spitfires
- Preview: Spirit Rekindle Rivalry with Firebirds on Student Rush Night - Saginaw Spirit
- Mainstreet Presents DIFD Game February 13 - Sarnia Sting
- Game Preview: Storm Visit Steelheads in Mid-Week Match-Up - Guelph Storm
- Stanley Named Motorburger Player of the Week - Windsor Spitfires
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