OHL Guelph Storm

Storm City Weekly

Published on January 14, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


Storming out of the gates after the Christmas break, the Storm cooled off last week with with one win in three attempts. Their only two points came in Owen Sound after they battled back from a three goal deficit in the third tying the game at five in the final frame and eventually grabbing the victory seconds into overtime. Five different Storm players posted multi-point games on Wednesday night led by the line of Brandon Buck, Peter Holland and Matt Kennedy that combined for nine points.

Buck picked up four points and was at his best late when he scored the game tying goal and set up the winner by Michael Latta in overtime.Undefeated in six games leading up to Friday, the Storm lost to the Kitchener Rangers 3-2. Never managing to muster a lead versus a hard working Rangers club, the Storm would eventually drop the tight decision 3-2. Brandon Foote made his Storm debut between the pipes stopping 29 of 32 in a losing effort, while newly acquired Yves Bastien netted a single. After scoring 31 goals in seven games since the Christmas break, the Storm struggled offensively on Sunday scoring only once in front of 4,270 at the Sleeman Centre on Sunday.Playing his first game at home in a Storm uniform, Brandon Foote made a number of excellent saves, but the Storm could not hold off the offensively gifted Justin DiBenedetto and the rest of the Sting losing 6-1. Newly acquired Josh Shalla scored the lone Storm goal of the contest.

With two of a possible six points last week, the Storm currently sit second to the London Knights with 53 points and a record of 24-15-2-3.

The Guelph Storm announced today that forward Michael Latta is the Grand & Toy Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 12th.

Latta recorded four points, two goals and two assists, in three games last week. He had his best game on the week on Wednesday night in Owen Sound scoring twice, including the OT winner, and picking up one assist. Held off the scoresheet on Friday night in Kitchener, the 17 year old assisted on the only Storm goal of the game Sunday at the Sleeman Centre.

Since acquired from the Ottawa 67's in late November, Latta has accumulated 16 points. Participating in the CHL Top Prospects game on Wednesday, the second year forward is currently fourth on the team in scoring with 37 points (15 goals and 22 assists) and second in powerplay goals with seven.

Performers of the Month- December

Matt Kennedy- Guelph Storm Rogers Performer of the Month and nominee for OHL Performer of the Month Kennedy was named the Guelph Storm's Performer of the Month after recording eleven points in ten games throughout December. The Horseshoe Valley native tallied seven goals and four assists, including a team leading three powerplay goals. The 19 year old was awarded with two second and first star honours throughout the month.

As of January 5th, Kennedy has 18 goals and 21 assists for 39 points and currently has a plus/minus rating of +5. The fourth year forward is second on the team in both goals and assists and currently sits first among his teammates in powerplay goals with eight. In 23 games this year, Kennedy is just under a point per game pace, and has had 13 multiple point games.

Thomas McCollum-Guelph Storm Rogers Goaltender of the Month and nominee for OHL Goaltender of the Month McCollum was named the Guelph Storm's Goaltender of the Month after posting a 4-2 record, along with a 1.50 goals against average and 0.947 save percentage in six games played. The 19-year old netminder recorded three shutouts in six games before leaving for the World Junior Championship in Ottawa. The Sanborn NY native had one 1st star honour on the month.

As of January 5th, the Red Wings first round draft pick has a record of 16-10-2-2, a goals against average of 2.13 and a save percentage of 0.928. With three shutouts in the month of December, McCollum is currently tied for second in league rankings. He also ranks 2nd in both goals against average and save percentage with 2.13 and 0.928 respectively.

Tim Campbell-Guelph Storm Rogers Rookie of the Month and nominee for OHL Rookie of the Month Campbell was named the Guelph Storm's Rookie of the Month after an impressive December where the 17 year picked up two assists and was solid on defensive racking up a plus/minus rating of +10.

So far this season Campbell has six assists and is a +13, leading all OHL rookies in plus/minus. The Thornhill native is tied with teammate Evgeny Molotilov for the lead in Storm rookie defensive scoring with six points.

Ben Chiarot- Guelph Storm Rogers Defenceman of the Month and nominee for OHL Defenceman of the Month Chiarot was named the Guelph Storm's defenceman of the month after finishing top among his defensive counterparts in scoring with three assists. The Hamilton native posted a plus/minus rating of +5 in 10 games played.

So far this season, the 17 year old has one goal and six assists for seven points in 40 games played and is a +12.

Storm vs. Police a Success

On Saturday afternoon the Guelph Storm took on the Guelph Police for the 8th annual charity hockey game helping to raise funds in the name of late Constable Jay Pirie, who died of complications from heart surgery. This year with a very successful event $5,245 was raised. All procceds go to Guelph-Wellington Special Olympics. In eight years $43,245 has been donated.

Storm Snapshots

GuelphStorm.com is excited to announce the launch of a new WEEKLY ANALYSIS AND PREVIEW feature. This new component brings Storm fans inside each game with a thorough analysis and in-depth comparison of your Storm and every opponent.

The new section allows fans to preview and review the Storm week by week with a comprehensive analysis of each game from every angle.

Including valuable information such as "Team Statistical Comparison", "Game Information", "Player and Goalie Stat Leaders" plus "Head to Head Records" and intriguing "Facts and Stats" about the Storm and their opponent.

The Weekly Anaylsis is also your portal to multimedia from the game including video highlights from the season series plus game photos posted after home games.

Visit the new section and learn everything about the Storm's games this week at the London Knights and Oshawa Generals.

Guelph Storm Trio Attend Top Prospects Game

Storm forwards Michael Latta, Peter Holland and Taylor Beck left on Monday to join 40 of the Canadian Hockey League's top draft eligible prospects in Oshawa for the Home Hardware C HL-NHL Top Prospects Game on Wednesday. Taking place in the skills competition last night, Storm foward Michael Latta knocked out four targets in six shots to claim first spot in the shooting accuracy event. After a tie in the skills segment of the event, Team Cherry skated out to a 5-3 win in the three-on-three game to claim the win.

The Guelph Storm trio encompasses the largest representation from a single team. The Canadian Hockey League/NHL Top Prospects Game can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet at 7 p.m. ET.

OHL Announces New Playing Rule

Ontario Hockey League Commissioner, David Branch, today announced the adoption of a new playing rule in consideration of the health and welfare of all OHL players, specifically the proper wearing of helmets prior to or during an altercation.

Such rule will come into effect commencing with the schedule of games on Thursday, the 15th of January, 2009.

"If a player should remove his helmet or undo his chinstrap prior to or during an altercation, such player shall receive a game misconduct in addition to any other penalties assessed and an automatic one (1) game suspension. If a player should remove his helmet or undo his chinstrap prior to entering into an altercation, and his opponent does not remove his helmet, the player removing his helmet shall receive a two minute minor penalty, a game misconduct penalty in addition to any other penalties assessed and an automatic one (1) game suspension.

If a player should remove an opponent's helmet or undo an opponent's chinstrap prior to or during an altercation, such player shall receive an automatic game misconduct penalty in addition to any other penalties assessed and a one (1) game suspension.

If during the course of an altercation a player or player's helmets should become dislodged, the linesmen are to intervene immediately".

Gryphon Winter Classic

The Gryphon Winter Classic presented by AMJ Campbell Van Lines features the Guelph Gryphons versus the York Yeoman on Saturday, January 31st. Guelph Storm Season Ticket Holders have a 2-1 offer in their season ticket holder booklets.

Check out the Guelph Storm Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2009


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