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OHL Guelph Storm

Game Preview: Colts Make Lone Visit to Guelph

January 8, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


After grabbing two of three wins last week, the Guelph Storm look to keep things rolling on Friday hosting the Barrie Colts in their only visit to the Sleeman Centre this season.

Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---

With two games at home this weekend, Storm fans have the opportunity to capitalize on the $11 Weekend Deal! Purchase a regular ticket to Friday's game, and add a regular ticket to Sunday's match-up against the Flint Firebirds for just $11! Click here to purchase your tickets now, or call (519) 837-9690 for more information.

It's a cross-conference match-up at the Sleeman Centre this Friday, with the Central Division's leader, the Barrie Colts, visiting Guelph for the only time this season

The Colts, currently holding the division's top standing with a current three-point lead over the Mississauga Steelheads after downing Mississauga 7-4 on Thursday night. In the New Year, Barrie has two of three wins, including a dominating 12-2 victory over the North Bay Battalion to start off 2016 on Jan. 2. Overall, the Colts boast a 23-13-0-1 record, going 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games played.

While Guelph may not be leading their respective division, the Storm have strung together a solid stretch of hockey, registering at least a point in five of their last six games played - including three wins.

Friday's puck drop is scheduled for 7:30pm.

Player Watch

Guelph Storm

In Guelph's last win - a 7-3 result over the Kitchener Rangers on Sunday - sophomore James McEwan led the way offensively with his first career OHL hat trick. The five-foot-eleven, 190-pound forward is enjoying a career-year, compiling 24 points (16 goals, eight assists) in 36 games this season. Recently, the Chatham, Ontario native has tallied six goals for nine points in his last seven games played, going pointless only once on Jan. 1 against the Rangers.

Another second-year has moved into the career-best category, with Givani Smith surpassing his rookie point total of 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 61 games split between the Storm and the Colts last season with a three-point (two goals, one assist) effort against the Rangers this past Sunday. Now, through 34 games this season, the six-foot-one, 197-pound forward has posted 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists). In his last three games played, Smith has three goals for four points, and will undoubtedly be a player to watch facing off against the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.

Looking to the veteran presence on the young Storm squad, acquired earlier in the campaign from the Sudbury Wolves, overager Jacob Harris has been a solid addition to the line-up, recoring seven points (three goals, four assists) in 14 games with the Royal City this season. The six-foot, 198-pound forward had three assists in Guelph's 7-3 victory over the Rangers on Sunday, pushing his point total for the year 17, registering eight goals and nine assists in 38 games.

Barrie Colts

When looking at the Colts, you can't go too far without the mention of Kevin Labanc, currently leading the OHL in points with 69 in 35 games this season. The five-foot-eleven, 179-pound forward is fifth in the league in goals scored with 24, and second in assists with 45. A native of Staten Island, New York, Labanc is coming off a 107-point season as a sophomore last campaign, compiling 31 goals and 76 assists in 68 games. Heading into Friday's tilt, the third-year OHL veteran carries a six-game point streak, registering 10 goals for 21 points in the stretch - including a seven-point effort against the North Bay Battalion on Jan. 2 and six-point display against the Mississauga Steelheads on Thursday.

Coming in at 12th overall in the league is Andrew Mangiapane, as the third-year veteran has posted 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) in 29 games this season. Similar to that of teammate Labanc, the Bolton, Ontario native also surpassed the 100-point milestone in his sophomore campaign last year, tallying for 104 points (43 goals, 61 assists) in 68 games. A sixth round (166th overall) pick of the Calgary Flames in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, the five-foot-ten, 182-pound forward brings a four-game point streak into Friday's contest, recording three goals and nine assists.

The Colts also have offense coming from the back end, with Malmo, Sweden native Rasmus Andersson standing second overall among OHL defensemen with 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) in 35 games this season. The six-foot, 210-pound blue liner registered 64 points (12 goals, 52 assists) in 67 games as a rookie in 2014-15, only to be later selected by the Calgary Flames in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

The Opponent: Barrie Colts (23-13-0-1, 47 points)

Already in action this week, the Barrie Colts are coming off a big 7-4 win over the Mississauga Steelheads on Thursday. The victory helped the Colts extend their division lead to three points over the Steelheads, now with 47 points this season. The total is also good enough for second best in the Eastern Conference, behind only that of the Kingston Frontenacs of the East Division with 49 points.

Boasting a threatening offense, the Colts have pocketed an Eastern Conference-leading 149 goals for on the campaign, with depth certainly a noticeable advantage as seven players have 10 or more goals already this season. At the other end, the Colts aren't one to be dismissed, carrying one of the more solid defensive units with 110 goals against - with only two other teams in the East allowing fewer goals (the Niagara IceDogs with 109, and the Kingston Frontenacs with 108).

Barrie has also managed to maintain consistency in their play, no matter what rink they find themselves in. With a 12-7-0-1 home record almost matching that of their 11-6-0-0 away record, road games certainly don't seem to prompt a problem for the Colts.

GAME NOTES

The Barrie Colts visit the Sleeman Centre for the only time this season on Friday.

The Storm have earned at least a point in five of their last six games played.

It's also a three-in-three weekend for the Storm, with a match-up in London on Saturday night followed by a contest at home on Sunday against the Flint Firebirds.

With two home games at the Sleeman Centre this weekend, it gives fans the opportunity to capitalize on the $11 Weekend Deal! Purchase a regular ticket to Friday's match-up, and add a regular ticket to Sunday's game for just $11! Get your tickets HERE, or call (519) 837-9690 for more information.

Check out the Guelph Storm Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2016


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