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OHL Guelph Storm

Storm Fall 4-1 in Owen Sound

October 21, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release


The Guelph Storm suffered another loss in Owen Sound on Wednesday, battling in a close contest until the Attack would break open for three third-period goals.

Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---

It was a tough one yet again for the Guelph Storm.

Locked in a tie game through almost 50 minutes of play, the Storm couldn't capitalize in order to take the lead when given the chance. With that, the Attack would eventually break open the third period to score three goals in less than five minutes, taking a 4-1 final.

Marc Stevens, who had his best game of the season for the Storm, scored the lone goal for the team, while netminder Justin Nichols was, yet again, nothing but impressive, turning aside 37 of 41 shots, and coming up big on several occasions to keep his team in the contest.

Attack goaltender Michael McNiven, in turn, would make 26 saves in the win.

To begin the game, the Attack had their offensive pressure rolling early, gaining the Storm zone and creating chances. One of those chances included an opportunity that saw Nichols down and out following back-to-back saves, only to have Marc Stevens stand in to make an impressive kick save to keep the zeroes on the board.

Following the play, the Storm would get into a bit of penalty trouble, with Vladislav Barulin getting two for interference just 1:41 into the contest. Successfully killing off the minor, less than three minutes later saw Liam Stevens sent to the box for delay-of-game. Fortunately, the Storm would escape unscathed, killing off both calls.

Continuing to struggle for the majority of the opening ten minutes, Guelph would pay for the slow start later with Nick Suzuki capitalizing on a defensive turnover to open the scoring at the 9:32 mark of the first.

Less than two minutes later, however, the Storm would immediately respond with an obvious change in play as captain C.J. Garcia fired a shot from the point only to see Marc Stevens make no mistake on the leftover rebound to tie the game up at one with his first of the season.

To conclude the opening 20, Owen Sound would be awarded with their first penalty of the game as Justin Brack received two for slashing Nichols late on a play. The Storm, although unable to capitalize, would control the final minutes of the first, as the teams would head into the intermission locked at one.

Picking up where the opening period left off, the middle frame would be all about special teams.

Just 11 seconds into the second, Damir Sharipzyanov would be given two minutes for checking-to-the-head on Storm sophomore Givani Smith, only to be quickly followed to the box by Kevin Hancock taking a tripping call less than a minute later.

Although the power play unit had shown promise earlier in the contest, the Storm wouldn't be able to capitalize on the five-on-three advantage, only to be unsuccessful yet again just over three minutes later on an Attack too-many-men penalty call, going 0/4 through 40 minutes on the man-advantage.

On the other end of the second period, the divisional rivals would trade places, seeing the Storm take back-to-back penalties beginning with rookie Isaac Ratcliffe receiving a slashing call for a play on his former minor midget teammate Suzuki, who was set in place for a strong scoring chance beside the Storm's net.

Unable to reap any reward on the scoreboard for a second straight time, a tripping call to Timo Haussener that would end the second and begin the third gave way to a strong start to the final 20 minutes for the Attack.

Taking control of the game, the Attack would outshoot the Storm 18-6 in the final frame, with Nichols responding every step of the way. With several impeccable saves, the veteran netminder would be in the spotlight for the majority of the third period, giving the team in front of him a chance to come away with a second victory on the season.

The Attack, however, had other ideas, and took advantage of the sluggish play, gaining the lead as Liam Dunda pocketed a sharp angle goal off a backhand with 11:12 remaining in the game.

Although the Storm stepped up, responding to the one goal deficit quickly, bounces wouldn't go their way, eventually leading to a hooking call awarded to Tyler Boston. This time, the Attack would capitalize on the man advantage with Suzuki netting his second of the game on a goal that would be reviewed, and stand for a 3-1 game at the 12:19 mark.

To close out the contest, Justin Brack would make no mistake on a three-on-two rush, registering his second of the season for a 4-1 final in favour of Owen Sound.

The Storm return to action this Friday when the Niagara IceDogs visit for the special Pink in the Rink night. The match-up is then followed up with the Kingston Frontenacs visiting on Oct. 25, giving Storm fans the chance to capitalize on the $11 Weekend Pass Deal.

GAME NOTES

Playing the third of eight match-ups, the home team has not lost in the Highway Six season series.

Storm rookie Isaac Ratcliffe and Attack forward Nick Suzuki are former teammates, playing together in their minor midget years.

Storm defenceman Garrett McFadden is from nearby Kincardine, Ontario.

The Storm are back in action this Friday with the Niagara IceDogs visiting for the special Pink in the Rink night at the Sleeman Centre.

Check out the Guelph Storm Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2015


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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