Game Preview: Storm Goes for Three In-A-Row
January 14, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
Hosting their Highway Six rival, the Owen Sound Attack, on Friday night at the Sleeman Centre, the Guelph Storm will look to win three in-a-row for the first time this season.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---
With two home games this weekend, Storm fans have the chance to capitalize on the Weekend Ticket Deal! Purchase a regular ticket to Friday's game against the Attack, and add a regular ticket to Sunday's match-up with the Peterborough Petes for just $11! Get your tickets NOW!
Putting together the second-best record over the last 10 games in the Midwest Division with a 6-2-2-0 stretch - second to only that of the Erie Otters' 8-2-0-0 - the Guelph Storm are looking to make it three straight wins for the first time this season come Friday night at the Sleeman Centre.
The Storm continued their hot streak, putting together an impressive team victory over the London Knights on Wednesday, grabbing a 3-0 result for the team's fourth win in five games. Additionally, the Storm have earned at least a point in eight of their last 10 contests, with the only two regulation loses coming against the Knights and the Kitchener Rangers.
After downing the Flint Firebirds this past Sunday, followed by Wednesday's shutout victory, making it three straight will be no easy task as the Owen Sound Attack roll in to town. The Attack (17-15-6-2) are 5-3-2-0 in their last 10 games, while most recently have put together strong efforts against the Sarnia Sting in a 5-4 overtime victory on Jan. 8, and a 2-1 overtime loss on Jan. 9 - the Attack's last game action.
Friday's puck drop is slated for 7:30.
Player Watch
Guelph Storm
With two assists in Guelph's 3-0 win over the Knights on Wednesday, first-year Nic Sicoly led the charge on the offensive front with the multi-point effort. Registering points in three games this season, the five-foot-nine, 165-pound forward has made multiple point displays a habit, registering two points twice. On the season, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native has two goals for five points. Off the score sheet, Sicoly had an all-around complete effort on Wednesday, playing a smart 200-foot game in every situation, including a big part on the Storm's six successful penalty kills.
Sophomore Luke Burghardt, albeit with an empty netter, added a safety cushion for the Storm on Wednesday, rocking the puck into London's net shorthanded, scoring his ninth of the season. The five-foot-ten, 150-pound winger has 16 points in 35 games this season, and is noticeably looking to make a difference with every shift.
On the backend, second year blueliner Noah Carroll has also been impressive as of late. With six assists on the season, the Strathroy, Ontario native has registered three of those helpers in the last five games played while continuing to be a solid presence among the defensive core.
Owen Sound Attack
Bryson Cianfrone is a name to watch come Friday night. The former Mississauga Steelhead has 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in his 34 games with the Attack this season, remaining a consistent offensive presence throughout the campaign. Through the month of January, the overage forward has two goals for four points in five games, and has one goal in two games against the Storm this season.
Third on the roster and leading all Attack defensemen in production is five-foot-eleven, 190-pound defender Santino Centorame. With 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 39 games this season, the Mississauga, Ontario native is only five points removed from matching his career-high of 30 previously set in 66 games through the 2014-15 campaign. The fourth-year OHL veteran has only one assist through the month of January, however, a statistic that will surely be looking to change come Friday's Highway Six match-up.
Jaden Lindo has also made his presence known in the Highway Six rivalry this season, tallying a goal and a helper in three games against the Storm. In 39 games overall, the Brampton, Ontario native has 18 points (10 goals, eight assists), sitting just four points back of matching his career-high of 22 set in 63 games as a rookie through 2012-13.
The Opponent: Owen Sound Attack (17-15-6-2, 42 points)
While the Storm have certainly put together a fiery stretch, the Owen Sound Attack aren't strangers to the never-quit attitude. Fourth in the tough Midwest Division with 42 points and a .525 win percentage through 40 games this season, the Attack are 5-3-2-0 in their last 10 games. More notably, three of the Attack's last four games have required extra time, with Owen Sound coming out with the second point only once against the Sarnia Sting in a 5-4 result on Jan. 8. With that, the Attack will surely be looking to be rewarded for the efforts, pushing for the third win of the season over the Storm on Friday.
Talking offense, the Attack have 104 goals for this season - the third lowest in the league and second lowest in the conference with only the Sudbury Wolves (103) and the Storm (92) scoring less this campaign. The Storm, however, have tallied for 39 goals over their last 10 games.
GAME NOTES
Friday's match-up is the fourth of eight meetings between the Storm and the Attack this season.
Owen Sound leads the season series 2-1, taking a 1-0 overtime win back on Sept. 26, and a second victory at home in a 4-1 fashion on Oct. 21. In between, the Storm won 3-1 in Guelph on Oct. 9.
The home team has won every game so far in this season series.
Guelph has won four of their last five games, and has earned at least a point in eight of their last 10.
The Storm will be playing their fifth game in eight days on Friday.
With two home games this weekend, Storm fans have the opportunity to capitalize on the Weekend Deal! Purchase a regular ticket to Friday's game against the Attack, and add a regular ticket to Sunday's game against the Peterborough Petes for just $11!
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2016
- Game Preview: Storm Goes for Three In-A-Row - Guelph Storm
- 'Hounds' Dogged Work Beats Battalion 5-4 - North Bay Battalion
- Guertler Notches Three Points, Katchouk Nets Winner in North Bay - Soo Greyhounds
- Otters Top Colts 4-2 - Erie Otters
- OHL this Week - OHL
- Preview: Friday Night Hockey - Sarnia Sting
- Rangers Name Ryan MacInnis Team Captain - Kitchener Rangers
- Molson Canadian Bear Den Available - Owen Sound Attack
- Fronts Fast Facts - January 15th and 16th - Kingston Frontenacs
- Storm Then Otters for Attack - Owen Sound Attack
- Alexander Nylander Follows Dad's, Brother's Footsteps - Brampton Steelheads
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