OHL Guelph Storm

Storm City Weekly

Published on March 4, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


Two wins this past weekend over the Ottawa 67's and the Kitchener Rangers put the Storm in good position in the Western Conference playoff race. With 71 points the Storm sit fifth, three points ahead of the Sarnia Sting and two points behind the Saginaw Spirit and Plymouth Whalers with a game in hand on both clubs.

On Friday night against the 67's, the Storm jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first off goals by Denis Hollenstein, Taylor Beck and Brandon Buck. The 67's came out hard in the second notching two goals in less than 24 seconds, cutting the Storm's lead to 3-2. Scoring three more, the Storm would hold on to eventually win the contest 6-4 and collect the two points.

Sunday afternoon the rival Kitchener Rangers entered the "Eye of the Storm". In front of a sold out crowd of 4,631, the Storm downed the Rangers 2-1. Jake Fischer left the game during the first with an injury and Brandon Foote played solid in his absence earning himself the first star of the game. Brandon Buck scored in the second while Denis Hollenstein tallied in the third. The Storm held the pressing Rangers to one goal in the final frame to capture the win and the important two points.

A crucial week upcoming, the Storm play the Sting on Thursday in Sarnia and the Spirit at home on Friday night before hosting the Attack on Sunday. The results of this weekend's games could easily decide the Storm's fate in the playoff race and whether or not they grab home ice advantage.

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Grand & Toy Player of the Week

The Guelph Storm announced today that defenceman Nathan Martine is the Grand & Toy Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March 1st.

Martine, held off the scoresheet on both Wednesday and Sunday, collected all four points in the Storm's 6-4 win over the Ottawa 67's on Friday night. Recording all assists, Martine was the highest Storm point getter of the week. Martine received first star honours for his play collecting two on the powerplay, setting up Tim Campbell for his first in the OHL, and two at regular strength. Tim Campbell was the last Storm player to record four assists in one game, the rookie blueliner did it earlier this year on October 24th against the Owen Sound Attack.

Recording his first goal of the season in early January, Martine has since tallied four times making him second on the Storm, behind Priamo, in goals scored by a defenceman with five. He sits tied for first in assists (19) with Syvret and is four points behind Priamo for the defensive scoring lead. Martine's last month has been by far his best, the Port Colborne native recorded 11 points in 11 games played.

Next up, Martine and the rest of the Storm face a couple Western Conference playoff spot battles heading to Sarnia on Thursday night before hosting the Saginaw Spirit on Friday night at the Sleeman Centre and the Owen Sound Attack on Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting or calling the Guelph Storm Box Office at 519-837-9690.

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7 Day 'Storm Forecast'

With three games this week, the Storm continues their drive for home ice advantage. Thursday night they travel to Sarnia before hosting the Spirit and Attack on Friday and Sunday. Get inside this week's games with the '7 day Storm Forecast".

Rogers Performers of the Month

Nathan Martine- Guelph Storm Rogers Defenceman and Performer of the Month and nominee for OHL Defenceman and Performer of the Month

Martine was named the Guelph Storm's Rogers Performer of the Month and Defenceman of the Month after having his best month of the season recording 11 points in 11 games throughout February. The Port Colborne native tallied seven assists and four goals, three of which were scored with the man advantage. The 20 year old was awarded with one first and a third star honour throughout the month.

Recording his first goal of the season in early January, Martine tallied four times during February making him second on the Storm, behind Tim Priamo, in goals scored by a defenceman with five. As of March 1st, he sits tied for first in assists (19) with Corey Syvret and is four points behind Priamo for the defensive scoring lead.

Jake Fischer-Guelph Storm Rogers Goaltender of the Month and nominee for OHL Goaltender of the Month

Fischer was named the Guelph Storm's Goaltender of the Month after posting a 3-2-1 record, along with a 3.75 goals against average and 0.885 save percentage in seven games played. The 19-year old netminder was also awarded with a first and second star honour throughout the month finishing as the Storm's 3 Star Rogers Player of the month with eight points..

Injured in net on Sunday against the Rangers, as of March 1st the Belle River native has a record of 9-5-1-1, a goals against average of 3.27 and a save percentage of 0.895.

Cody McNaughton Guelph Storm Rogers Rookie of the Month and nominee for OHL Rookie of the Month

McNaughton was named the Guelph Storm's Rookie of the Month after recording two goals and two assists, the most by any first year Storm player.

As of March 1st, the Petawawa native currently sits second on the team in rookie scoring (18), one point behind Josh Shalla and leads all Storm rookies in assists (10) and plus/minus (+11).

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Storm Extend Playoff Streak

With their 6-4 home ice win on Friday over the Ottawa 67's, the Guelph Storm punched their ticket to the OHL Playoffs for the 17th straight season. The last time the club missed the post-season was 1992, the same year that Storm rookies JP Labardo and Cody McNaughton were born.

The Storm playoff streak is the second longest current streak in the OHL. The last time the Storm missed the OHL Playoffs was their first season in the Royal City when the club staggered to a 4-51-11 record for last overall in the OHL.

The longest playoff appearance streak in OHL history belongs to the Peterborough Petes, who qualified for the post-season for 27 straight seasons between 1976-77 - 2002-03.

The Plymouth Whalers franchise (formerly the Detroit Whalers, the Detroit Jr. Red Wings and the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors) own the longest current streak. Having also cliched a playoff spot, the Whalers have extended their streak to 18 consecutive seasons. The Whalers last missed the playoffs in 1990-91, when Detroit finished last in the OHL during the regular season.

The league's third longest current streak is owned by the Barrie Colts. The Colts have never missed the post-season since joining the league in 1995-96 and currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference and look to be on their way to clinching their 14th straight playoff appearance.

Current Playoff Appearances Streaks (if team has clinched 2009 Playoff Spot, streak has been changed)

Plymouth Whalers - 18 seasons (Last missed OHL playoffs in 1990-91)

GUELPH STORM - 17 seasons (Last missed OHL Playoffs in 1991-92)

*Barrie Colts - 13 seasons (*14, if Colts qualify for 2009 OHL Playoffs - Never missed playoffs since entering the OHL in 1995-96)

Ottawa 67's - 14 seasons (Last missed OHL playoffs in 1994-95)

London Knights - 9 seasons (clinched berth in 2009 OHL Playoffs - Last missed OHL playoffs in 1999-00)

*Kitchener Rangers - 7 seasons (Currently sit 9th in Conference and might miss post-season - Last missed OHL playoffs in 2000-01)

Brampton Battalion - 7 seasons (Clinched berth in 2009 OHL Playoffs- Last missed OHL playoffs in 2001-02)

Belleville Bulls - 5 seasons (Clinched berth in 2009 OHL Playoffs - Last missed OHL playoffs in 2003-04)

Saginaw Spirit - 4 seasons (Clinched berth in 2009 OHL Playoffs - Last time OHL playoffs in 2004-05 season)

*Sarnia Sting - 2 seasons (*3, if Sting qualify for 2009 OHL Playoffs - Last missed OHL playoffs in 2005-06)

*Niagara IceDogs - 2 seasons (*3, if IceDogs qualify for 2009 OHL Playoffs - Last missed OHL playoffs in 2005-06)

*Oshawa Generals - 2 seasons (*3, if Generals qualify for 2009 OHL Playoffs - Last missed OHL playoffs in 2005-06)

Mississauga St. Michael's Majors - 2 seasons (Clinched berth in 2009 OHL PLayoffs - Last missed OHL playoffs in 2006-07)

Windsor Spitfires - 2 seasons (Clinched berth in 2009 OHL Playoffs - Last missed OHL playoffs in 2006-07)

*Peterborough Petes - 1 season (*2, if Petes qualify for 2009 OHL Playoffs - currently sit 9th - Last missed OHL playoffs in 2006-07)

*Sudbury Wolves - 0 seasons (*1, if Wolves qualify for 2009 OHL Playoffs. Currently in 7th in Eastern Conference - Last missed playoffs in 2007-08)

Owen Sound Attack - 0 seasons (*1, if Attack qualify for 2009 OHL Playoffs. Currently in 8th in Western Conference - Last missed playoffs in 2007-08)

*Erie Otters - 0 seasons (*1, if Otters qualify for 2009 OHL Playoffs. Currently in 7th in Western Conference - Last missed playoffs in 2007-08)

SS Marie Greyhounds - 0 seasons (Officially eliminated from 2009 OHL Playoffs)

Kingston Frontenacs - 0 seasons (Officially eliminated from 2009 OHL Playoffs - Last qualified for OHL Playoffs in 2006-07

STORM HOME GAMES

March 6th: Spirit @ Storm, 7:30 pm

Friday night the Storm host the Saginaw Spirit for the second and final time this year. The Storm lead the regular season series two games to one winning by scores of 4-1, 4-3 and losing the only contest in overtime 4-3.

The Spirit currently have a two point lead on the Storm in the Western Conference playoff race with one game in hand. The outcome of Friday's game significantly influences final playoff spots and could determine who claims home ice advantage.

The Spirit currently have a record of 33-23-3-4 for fourth place.

March 8th: Attack @ Storm, 2:00 pm

Sunday afternoon the Storm host the Owen Sound Attack for the final time this year. Playing each other eight times on the year the Storm lead the regular season series four games to three. Less than two weeks ago, the last time these two teams faced off against each other, the Storm defeated the Attack 6-0 at home. Brandon Buck and Taylor Beck both tallied twice in the win and Michael Latta picked up three helpers.

The Attack currently have a record of 25-23-7-7 and sit tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with the Erie Otters.

Check out the Guelph Storm Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2009


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