Rangers' Culina Stands Tall as Storm Fall 2-1
Published on March 26, 2018 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
The Guelph Storm may have outplayed the Kitchener Rangers Sunday night at The Aud, but were handed a 2-1 loss to the credit of the Rangers' goaltender, Mario Culina.
Culina, who faced 42 shots, turned away 41 for first star honours, including 18 shots alone in the second period.
At the other end of the ice, Storm netminder Anthony Popovich did his part in keeping things close, responding with a stellar performance for Game 2, making 30 saves.
The Storm got things started early as Cam Hillis potted his first career OHL playoff tally just 1:49 into the contest, but it would be former Storm forward, Givani Smith, tying things up at one just past the midway point of the frame on the power play.
The second period saw no scoring, but plenty of opportunity for the Storm who put a whopping 18 shots on Culina through the frame, in comparison to the Rangers' nine shots.
Continuing to put pucks through in the third, the Storm thought they had the go-ahead marker early in the period, but the play was called back due to what was deemed to be goaltender interference.
The game winner came with just under eight minutes remaining in the game as Kole Sherwood made it a 2-1 final, giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead in the series.
The series shifts to Guelph on Tuesday for Game 3, with puck drop at 7pm. Purchase your tickets online here, in-person at the Storm Box Office, or by calling (519) 837-9690.
Guelph Storm 1 at Kitchener Rangers 2 - Status: Final
Sunday - Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
Guelph 1 0 0 - 1
Kitchener 1 0 1 - 2
1st Period-1, Guelph, Hillis 1 (Shoemaker, Toropchenko), 1:49. 2, Kitchener, Givani Smith 1 (Logan Brown, Mascherin), 10:07 (PP).
Penalties-Samorukov Gue (cross checking), 9:27; Bunnaman Kit (cross checking), 15:29; Merkley Gue (roughing), 17:32; Stanley Kit (roughing), 17:32.
2nd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Poirier Gue (roughing), 8:53; Yantsis Kit (slashing), 8:53.
3rd Period-3, Kitchener, Sherwood 2 (Logan Brown, McHugh), 12:34.
Penalties-Shoemaker Gue (slashing), 7:07; Mascherin Kit (diving), 7:07; Michael Vukojevic Kit (high sticking), 13:38.
Shots on Goal-Guelph 12-18-12-42. Kitchener 11-9-12-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Guelph 0 / 2; Kitchener 1 / 1.
Goalies-Guelph, Popovich (32 shots-30 saves). Kitchener, Culina (42 shots-41 saves).
A-5,822
Referees-Mike Hamilton (8), Ryan Hutchison (20).
Linesmen-Ryan Card (83), Mac Nichol (93).
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2018
- Attack Take Stranglehold on 1st Round Series - Owen Sound Attack
- Colts Even Series 1-1 - Brampton Steelheads
- Colts Bounce Back with 5-3 Victory to Even the Series - Barrie Colts
- Spirit Show Fight in 7-3 Loss to Hounds in Game 3 - Saginaw Spirit
- Troops Make Sudbury Home - North Bay Battalion
- 67's Noel Hoefenmayer Named OHL 'On the Run' Player of the Week - OHL
- OHL Announces Disciplinary Action - OHL
- Rangers' Culina Stands Tall as Storm Fall 2-1 - Guelph Storm
- Bulldogs Fall to the 67's in Game 2 - Brantford Bulldogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
