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OHL Guelph Storm

Game Preview: Storm Search for First Win Hosting Greyhounds

September 30, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


With the Guelph Storm in search of their first victory on the 2015-16 season, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds visit the Sleeman Centre for the first time since the 2015 Playoffs.

Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---

The Guelph Storm have a few things to play for come this Friday night.

In search of their first victory of the season, the Storm are also in the hunt for their first goal, making it the first time in franchise history the club has been shutout in it's first two opening games. The young core up front will look to start clicking offensively with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in town on Oct. 2, while the defensive unit has been nothing but solid for 120 minutes so far this season.

There's no question, however, that with one point gained in an overtime loss to the Owen Sound Attack this past Saturday, the strongest element to Guelph's game stands in net. Justin Nichols backstopped the team in front of him to earn the Storm their first point of the season in Owen Sound after falling to the Oshawa Generals on Sept. 25 at home, and is to no one's question going to give this young line up a chance to win night-in and night-out.

For the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, they will be looking to earn their second win in a row following a 3-2 overtime loss to the Windsor Spitfires in their season opener at home. The Greyhounds followed up the effort with a 3-1 win over the Niagara Ice Dogs on Saturday, and will be carrying the momentum from a solid win into the Sleeman Centre on Friday.

Player Watch

Guelph Storm

All eyes will be right back on veteran netminder Justin Nichols, and rightfully so. The St. Catharine's, Ontario native is coming off arguably one of the best games of his major junior career in Owen Sound this past Saturday night, a game in which Nichols turned aside 19 shots through the first period alone, followed by 23 more in the remaining 40 minutes of regulation to carry the Storm to their first point of the 2015-16 season. In total, Nichols saw 46 shots on the night, eventually giving up the overtime winner as the Attack created a quick two-on-one rush to capitalize on the pass through the Storm defenceman. Through two games, Nichols has put up an impressive 1.94 goals-against-average and an OHL fifth-overall .947 save-percentage, while also standing fourth in saves among OHL netminders with a total of 71 so far this season - numbers that more than cement his role as the backbone of this young Storm roster.

Up front, though the offensive side of things is still in search of its first goal on the season, there have been some bright spots - including second year forward Luke Burghardt. The five-foot-ten, 150-pound winger was in on some of the better chances for the Storm this past weekend, specifically the team's strongest offensive opportunity in the 1-0 overtime loss on Saturday. The Bowmanville, Ontario native was fed a pass from Tyler Boston on an odd-man rush, and with Owen Sound's Michael McNiven out of position, Burghardt almost pocketed the team's first goal but couldn't get the shot off. With a rookie season that saw one goal for five points through 54 games, Burghardt is noticeably more comfortable in his game so far this season, setting the tone for what is expected to get things going offensively.

Another second year forward in that of Tyler Boston was in the mix of scoring opportunities this past weekend. The Newmarket, Ontario native fed Burghardt on Saturday for arguably the closest scoring chance, while following up the effort with winding up on a three-on-two rush, but unable to beat McNiven. The 1997-born centreman recorded 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) as a rookie in 2014-15, leading all Storm freshmen in points, and will certainly look to push to get the Storm on the board this coming Friday against the Greyhounds.

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

The Greyhounds have a couple sophomores of their own to look out for, with top priority going to Tim Gettinger. The 1998-born winger recorded 10 goals for 25 points in 54 games as a rookie in 2014-15, and is picking things up right where he left off with two goals for three points in the first two games of this season. Gettinger had a two goal performance in the Soo's 3-1 win over the Niagara Ice Dogs this past Saturday, helping the club earn their first victory of 2015-16. Gettinger was named the game's first star.

Looking to the backend, Colton White has made his presence known through the first two games, recording three assists and a plus-one rating. In the Greyhounds season opener at home against the Windsor Spitfires, a tilt that saw the Soo fall 3-2 in overtime, White was a pleasant positive, earning first star honours with two assists. The defenceman added another helper on Saturday against Windsor, and will certainly look to continue his strong player heading into Friday's match-up against the Storm. In 67 games as a sophomore in 2014-15, White posted six goals for 22 points.

Another Greyhound veteran in Blake Speers should also be on the radar. Although left without a point two games into the season, there should be no expectation for that to last much longer. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native has posted 107 points (43 goals, 64 assists) in 121 career games with the Greyhounds, and with big names graduating from the dominant line up the Soo threatened with in 2014-15, Speers will certainly have the opportunity and be looked to as a key factor to the Soo's success this season. Speers is coming off a impressive breakout season, recording 67 points (24 goals, 43 assists) in 57 games last year.

The Opponent: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Record: 1-0-1-0)

There's no doubting the powerhouse that was for the Greyhounds in 2014-15, however, with captain Darnell Nurse vacating the blue line to move into the professional ranks in addition to defenceman Anthony DeAngelo, while also looking at the loss in offensive depth with Nick Ritchie, Sergey Tolchinsky, and Justin Bailey all graduating as well, the Greyhounds are icing a much different looking squad this season.

That's not to take them lightly.

The Greyhounds remain with influential members of their core, including Jared McCann, Zach Senyshyn, Black Speers, and Colton White among others. Returning names will be looked upon to fulfill the key roles that were left, and become game changing players to have continued success on the ice this season.

Although, not starting off as planned in their season opener may have left a sour taste in some mouths, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Windsor Spitfires at home on Sept. 25. Nevertheless, the Greyhounds rebounded, and did so confidently with a 3-1 victory over the Eastern Conference's Niagara Ice Dogs the very next night on Sept. 26. Joseph Raaymakers appeared in the paint for both games, stopping a total of 43 shots for a 1.99 goals-against-average and a .915 save-percentage.

GAME NOTES

The Guelph Storm have been shutout in the first two games of the season for the first time in the club's 25-year tenure.

Guelph and Sault Ste. Marie meet for the first time on Friday since the Greyhounds swept the Storm in the second round of the 2015 Playoffs.

The Greyhounds are 1-0-1-0 on the season, while the Storm are 0-1-1-0.

Justin Nichols played his first season with Sault Ste. Marie prior to being acquired by Guelph in September of 2013.

Check out the Guelph Storm Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2015


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