Game Preview: Storm, Knights Face off Friday
Published on December 18, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
With two games remaining before the holiday break, the Guelph Storm start off the weekend visiting their Midwest Division rival, the London Knights, on Friday for a 7:30 puck drop.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---
The Guelph Storm concludes the first half of the regular season hosting the Mississauga Steelheads on Saturday.
It's a rare Friday night away from the Sleeman Centre -- but, by no means, is it an off-day for the Guelph Storm.
Making a trip to the Budweiser Gardens, the Storm visit the OHL's second-best squad in the London Knights for a 7:30 start.
Guelph, taking a 14-game skid into the contest, will be pushing for an upset with the Knights missing nine regulars (including two goaltenders) due to World Junior Championship camps and suspensions.
On the home side of things, the Knights - since downing the Storm in a 5-2 result on Dec. 6 - have won three of their last four match-ups.
Player Watch
Guelph Storm
After closing out the final six games of November pointless, second-year forward Givani Smith has warmed up through December heading into the holiday season, registering three goals for five points in his last six games. With seven goals in 28 games this campaign, the 1998-born, Toronto, Ontario native has already matched his rookie goal total of seven, needing one more to surpass the mark previously set in 2014-15 through 61 games. Overall, Smith has a team second-best 16 points, a total four points removed from matching his rookie season of 19.
On the backend, third-year blue liner Garrett McFadden leads all Storm defensemen with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 30 games played this season. Individually, the Kincardine, Ontario native is only three points removed from matching his career-high of 18 points previously recorded last season through 56 games. Looking to Friday's match-up, the last time the Storm visited the Knights back on Nov. 13, McFadden had a three-point display, potting a goal while adding two assists.
Tyler Boston has also found the score sheet versus the Knights this season, recording two points in three games played. The five-foot-eleven, 160-pound forward has 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) through 30 games this campaign, however, has gone pointless in the last four contests. Currently sitting third in production for the Storm, the Newmarket, Ontario will be looking to get things going offensively Friday night in London.
London Knights
The Knights may be missing some crucial pieces when the Storm roll into town on Friday, but depth is a key word when it comes to London boasting the most threatening offense in the OHL. In a close 4-3 victory over the Kitchener Rangers this past Wednesday, rookie Max Jones led the way with two goals. On the season, the 1998-born, Orion, Michigan native has posted 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) in 27 games, while currently riding a six-game point streak, registering four goals for nine points in the stretch.
Also putting forth a strong performance in London's most recently win was fourth-year veteran Owen MacDonald, registering a goal and an assist for first star honours on Wednesday. The Elora, Ontario native - who played his minor midget season with the Guelph Gryphons - has 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 28 games this season, more than on pace to surpass the career-best of 27 points previously set in 60 games last season. In the last four games played, MacDonald has recorded two goals for five points.
Victor Mete had a multi-point display against the Rangers on Wednesday as well, pocketing two helpers in London's 4-3 win. Through 31 games this season, the second-year defenseman has compiled 21 points (two goals, 19 assists), putting him just two points removed from matching his rookie point total of 23 registered in 58 games last season. The Woodbridge, Ontario native also ranks 11th overall among OHL defenseman, sitting just one point back of the Top 10.
The Opponent: London Knights (24-5-1-1, 50 points)
Second in the Midwest Division, second in the Western Conference, and second in the OHL: the London Knights are clearly one extreme when it comes to opponents. With 31 games played so far this season, the strongest part of London's game can be easily noticed on any given score sheet, all collectively adding up to 166 goals for - the most goals scored in the league.
Two games against the Storm this season have proved that, with only the last match-up between the two squads on Dec. 6 holding a three-goal differential in a 5-2 win for the Knights. Pushing for an upset come Friday night, the Storm will need to regain that very form, bringing a consistent, disciplined, and complete effort to the table when the puck drops at 7:30.
A key stands in disciplined, with the Knights totaling for 470 penalty minutes so far - the most in the Western Conference. Even so, giving such a high powered offense an advantage is a threat to momentum as it is, let alone facing London's first overall ranked power play, registering 53 goals on 159 opportunities (33.3 PP%).
GAME NOTES
Friday's match-up is the fourth of six match-ups set between the Storm and the Knights this season.
The Knights hold a 3-0 season series lead, taking a 9-2 result in Guelph (Nov. 6), a 10-4 victory in London (Nov. 13), and a 5-2 final in Guelph (Dec. 6).
Givani Smith is one goal away from surpassing his rookie total of seven previously set in 61 games last season.
Owen MacDonald, a fourth-year veteran for the Knights, played minor hockey for the Guelph Gryphons with being a native of Elora, Ontario.
Following Friday's visit to London, the Storm host the Mississauga Steelheads on Saturday for the last contest before the holiday break.
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