OHL Brampton Steelheads

Brennan Gets Win in Debut against Guelph

January 10, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brampton Steelheads News Release


Guelph, ON - The Steelheads kicked off a three-game road trip with a visit to Guelph on Friday night. The meeting marked the first of two with Guelph this season. Newly acquired goaltender Jacob Brennan, who was claimed off waivers from the Acadie-Bathurst of the QMJHL earlier this week, got the nod in goal in his first appearance as a Steelhead.

Coming into tonight's contest, the Trout were looking to get back in the win column after three consecutive losses. The Storm looked to extend their win streak to three games after back-to-back wins against Owen Sound last weekend. Bryson Cianfrone, who was back in the line-up after missing the last game due to illness, tested Nichols early on but the Storm netminder was up for the challenge. On the other end, Dickinson tried to go five-hole, but Brennan was there to make the stop. At 6:15 the Storm would see their first power play opportunity of the game, as Sean Day would serve two minutes for holding. Thompson and Smith would also head to their respective boxes for matching roughing calls. Brennan came up big for the Trout on the penalty kill, making some key saves keep the Storm off the board. Just past the mid-way point of the first, Dickinson would have another opportunity but a strong defensive play by the Steelheads forced him to shoot the puck wide. With just under four minutes to play, the Trout would get their first power play opportunity of the game as Bertuzzi went to the box for tripping. The Storm would kill off the Bertuzzi penalty, but would head to the box again shortly after as Suter took a late cross-checking penalty. The Trout would start the 2nd with a man-advantage.

With 1:10 to go in Suter's penalty, the Trout came out in the second looking to take advantage. Despite a number of chances, the Steelheads couldn't capitalize and the game would return to even-strength. Bertuzzi and Dickinson had a good chance on a 2-on-1 opportunity but Brennan was there to shut them down. On the other end, Burnside made a great play driving to the net, but a Nichols poke check prevented him from getting the shot off. The offensive chances continued at both ends as Sean Day had a close chance that was stopped by the pad of Nichols, and Garcia beat Brennan on a clapper from the blue line, but not the post. Stefan LeBlanc would take an interference penalty just past the midway point of the period, giving the Storm their second power play opportunity of the game. The Trout successfully killed off that penalty as both teams looked to break the deadlock. At 16:21, hard work would pay off as Stephen Gibson netted his first OHL goal to open the scoring. Zottl and Burnside drew the assists as the Steelheads entered the second intermission with a 1-0 lead.

The Storm would solve Brennan at 4:22 of the third, as Bertuzzi was ready on the doorstep to finish a pass from Dickinson. Everett Clark would head to the box shortly after on a tripping call, but the Storm were unable to capitalize on the ensuing power play. With three Storm players in front of the net, Brennan made a huge diving play in an attempt to corral a loose puck. The wide open net resulted in a fury of action as the Storm looked to gain control of the puck, but ended up shooting it wide. Both teams were perfect on the penalty kill as the game remained tied at the end of regulation.

Wasting no time in the extra frame, Jimmy Lodge picked up a loose puck and jumped on the breakaway. He made no mistake, beating Nichols top shelf to seal the win for the Trout. Jacob Brennan earned first star honours with a 31-save effort in his Steelheads debut.

The Steelheads continue their road trip with a visit to Oshawa on Sunday evening before heading to Niagara to take on the IceDogs on Tuesday. Be sure to follow the Steelheads on Twitter (@OHLSteelheads) for away game updates!

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2015


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