OHL Guelph Storm

Spirit Use Second Period to Sink Storm

Published on December 11, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


Slowly but surely the Guelph Storm are coming along, but it was another short stretch in a game that sunk them yet again.

The Saginaw Spirit scored two goals in 38 seconds in the second period to add to a 1-0 lead as they defeated the Storm 4-1 Friday night at the Sleeman Centre.

Despite playing some solid stretches of hockey in the game, it was their own mistakes and a solid opposing goaltender that ultimately cost them the game.

The loss was Guelph's (2-25-1-0) 13th straight while it was the 20th consecutive game that the Storm had surrendered three or more goals.

Three of the four goals given up by the home team came in the second period while they didn't allow a goal in the final frame.

The Spirit (12-16-1-1) took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission thanks to an early Dylan Sadowy tally. Just under five minutes into the contest, Saginaw's leading scorer skated in on a two-on-one with Artem Artemov as a result of a neutral zone turnover by the Guelph. Artemov dished the puck to Sadowy who blasted it past a sliding Michael Giugovaz.

The Storm goaltender turned in a strong game but was the victim of costly team turnovers.

Then came the second period dagger.

Saginaw's Chase Stewart released a low wrist shot from the blueline that sneaked its way past a series of bodies and past a screened Giugovaz, making it 2-0. 38 seconds later and after two huge saves by Giugovaz, Mike Davies found the puck in the slot and fired the puck past the blocker of the Storm netminder. The goal gave the Spirit a 3-0 lead midway through the evening.

There was a glimmer of hope for Guelph fans, though.

2:05 later, Storm forward Matthew Hotchkiss scored his first of the season and first in 49 games to put a dent in the Spirit lead.

Playing four-on-four, Guelph defenceman Garrett McFadden led a rush out of the Storm zone when he fed it to Luke Burghardt. Burghardt gave it right back to McFadden who shot the puck towards the net when Hotchkiss deflected it past Saginaw goalie Evan Cormier to make it 3-1.

The goal brought some life to the home team, but in the end it didn't matter.

The visitors extended their lead with 1:45 remaining in the middle frame to give themselves a three-goal lead and give us our final score, 4-1.

Giugovaz made 33 saves while Cormier also turned aside 33 shots.

Final shots were 37-34 for Saginaw.

Guelph is back in action this Sunday, December 13 when they welcome the Sudbury Wolves to the Sleeman Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

GAME NOTES

- Tonight's game was the 2nd of 4 meetings between the two teams this season. Saginaw currently leads the season series 2-0.

- Storm forward Matthew Hotchkiss scored his 1st goal in 49 games, including playoffs.

- Guelph has now lost 13 consecutive games.

- Storm Captain C.J. Garcia needs one point to set a new career-high (11).

Check out the Guelph Storm Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2015


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