OHL Guelph Storm

Storm City Weekly

Published on January 25, 2012 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


Starting off the weekend on Thursday, the Storm traveled to Windsor to rematch the team that they fell 5-0 to at home the Friday prior. This would be a much different game, as netminder Garret Sparks would get his second consecutive shutout and the team exploded offensively. In the first period, Tyler Bertuzzi, Hunter Garlent, Justin Auger, and Zack Mitchell all scored. Scott Kosmachuk and Francis Menard also tallied in the second, and a scoreless third period would result in a 6-0 victory.

Saturday's game in Barrie would test the scoring power of the Storm against that of a strong offensive team. After neither team showed any give in the first period, the Colts scored two goals in the second, before Bertuzzi answered for the Storm in the third period. The Colts went up 3-1 on a powerplay goal from Mark Scheifele but Kosmachuk kept it close with a marker of his own. The Storm were unable to tie the game and would lose by a score of 4-2.

Returning to the Sleeman Centre, for a Sunday afternoon match-up with the Sarnia Sting, the Storm looked to get back into the playoff picture by picking up a much-needed two points. Nearly all of the scoring in this game took place in the first, with Garlent scoring in the game's opening minute.

Also getting on the board were Zack Mitchell and the Sting's Connor Murphy to make it 2-1 for the majority of a very close game. With the Sting putting on pressure to equalize, Menard scored a late insurance goal to make the final score 3-1.

Storm Forecast

This weekend, the Storm host the Niagara Ice Dogs on Friday night, travel to Owen Sound on Saturday for a 7:30 pm game against the Attack, and return home Sunday afternoon to face the Kitchener Rangers for RBC Play Hockey Day in support of the Guelph Giants.

Tickets for Friday and Sunday's game are still available and can be purchased online or by visiting or calling the Storm Box Office at 519-837-9690.

Turcotte Named Mid-West Division Academic Player of the Month

The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for December, 2011, which includes Spencer Turcotte of the Guelph Storm, Justin Kea of the Saginaw Spirit, Andrew Tessier of the Kingston Frontenacs, and Jordan Auld of the Brampton Battalion.

Midwest Division - The OHL Academic Player of the Month for December in the Midwest division is Right Winger Spencer Turcotte of the Guelph Storm. Turcotte, 17, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, is determined, goal-oriented and consistently strives to achieve his fullest potential academically. His teachers describe him as hard working, bright and focused. This well-spoken, respectful young man is carrying a full course load of grade 12 University prep courses and had a midterm average of 83%. His strong academic achievement is a direct reflection of his attention to detail, his discipline and hard work.

2011-12 OHL Academic Players of the Month:

Midwest Division:

December - Spencer Turcotte, Guelph Storm

November - Adam Pelech, Erie Otters

October - Chris Bigras, Owen Sound Attack

On Friday, December 16th, at the downtown RBC branch, Storm players Kyle Pereira, Cody McNaughton and Brandon Foote were on hand for a press conference to reveal the special Guelph Giants jerseys to be worn on January 29th during the RBC Play Hockey day at the Storm.

The Guelph Storm is proud to announce that their home game against the Kitchener Rangers on January 29th is RBC's Play Hockey Day at the Storm. RBC's Play Hockey is an initiative designed to support those who help hockey happen.

With the Play Hockey Day on the 29th, the Storm and RBC are pleased to support the Guelph Giants, a Special Hockey Foundation dedicated to encouraging, empowering and enabling athletes with an intellectual disability to participate in an inclusive hockey program.

Replica Guelph Giants jerseys will be worn during the game by all Storm players and auctioned off at a later date. All net proceeds from the jersey auction, 50/50 proceeds from the game and $5 from every ticket sold at RBC branches to the Play Hockey Day on January 29th when the Storm host the Kitchener Rangers, will be donated to the Guelph Giants.

"RBC is excited to partner with the Guelph Storm to support the Guelph Giants during RBC's Game Day on January 29th," said Laurie Davidson, regional vice president for Guelph and North Halton. "Hockey is Canada's game and we want to ensure those who love the game, have the opportunity to play hockey. RBC is proud to kick off this fundraising drive with a $2,500 donation and encourage residents to visit any RBC branch over the next few weeks in Guelph, Milton and Georgetown to get your tickets and help us support an outstanding local hockey organization."

Tickets are still available for this special game and can be purchased by visiting or calling the Guelph Storm Box Office at 519-837-9690. If you'd like to support the Giants and purchase tickets through RBC, they are available at all RBC branches in Guelph, Georgetown, Rockwood, Acton and Milton.

Carstar Collision of the Month

Each week during the 2011-12 season, the Guelph Storm will name a Collision of the Game. Congratulations to Brock McGinn who won the hit of the month for November.

At the end of each month, fans will get the opportunity to vote for the CARSTAR Collision of the Month and eventually the CARSTAR Collision of the Year.

Voting is now open for the CARSTAR Collision of the month for December. Watch the video and decide who you think should win the CARSTAR Collision of the Month.

Founder Considers Coach 4 Food Program a Success

I am writing to acknowledge the wonderful work done late last year in the inaugural Coach4Food program in Guelph. Thanks to the excellent involvement of the Guelph Storm and the University of Guelph Gryphons (for whom I played goal), nearly 12,000 pounds of food were raised for the Guelph Food Bank.

That number is exceptional and here's why. When I started Coach4Food in my hometown of North Bay in 2005, I offered to teach minor hockey teams new European and professional drills at one of their practices in exchange for food donations. I was excited beyond words when we collected 1,000 pounds that year. But little did I understand how Coach4Food would ignite passion in people. Incredibly, in 2010 in North Bay we collected almost 108,000 pounds of food.

You can see that this first year of Coach4Food in Guelph far outstripped what we accomplished in North Bay in our first year. Given what has happened in North Bay since, the future looks brilliant in Guelph.

Thanks to a Trillium grant, I was encouraged this year to expand Coach4Food across the province, beginning with two communities, and I chose Guelph and the Niagara Region. I feel fortunate because it has been fantastic to witness how these two communities have responded.

I want to acknowledge the Storm and Gryphons for being genuine community partners in the launch of Coach4Food, and I want to thank the players, coaches, parents and friends who pitched in to help. Coach4Food - inspired by Bruce Springsteen's work with food banks - is important, clearly, because it supports important organizations such as the Guelph Food Bank. A less obvious but perhaps equally important outcome is that now dozens and dozens of young people in your community have begun to learn the importance of helping those less fortunate.

Tom Hedican, Coach4Food founder, North Bay

2nd Annual "Storm the Giants" Charity game!

On Saturday, February 4th at 1pm the 2nd Annual 'Storm the Giants' fundraiser will be taking place at the Sleeman Centre. The event will highlight Guelph Storm players playing a charitable game alongside members of the Guelph Giants Hockey Club, a team of athletes with intellectual disabilities who will be showcasing their skills with their local heroes.

Tickets will be available at the door. All tickets are $5.

Your Next CHL FRIDAY NIGHT HOCKEY Match-Up on Sportsnet

January 27th - Sarnia Sting at Ottawa 67's at 7:00 pm on Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet West, and Sportsnet Pacific.

Next Home Games

Fri., Jan. 27th: Ice Dogs, 7:30 pm

Sun., Jan. 29th: Rangers, 2:00 pm

Next Away Game

Sat. Jan. 28th: Attack, 7:30 pm

Check out the Guelph Storm Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 25, 2012


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.

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