Storm this Week
January 22, 2008 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
The Storm wrapped up a perfect 3-0 weekend with an eight goal outburst as they downed the Erie Otters by the score of 8-3 on home ice. Matt Kennedy, Tyler Melancon and Denis Hollenstein all scored twice while Derek Brochu and Anthony Nigro added the other two in the Storm's third victory in a row and their seventh in ten games. The Storm started off the perfect weekend with a shootout victory against the Windsor Spitfires on Thursday. Harrison Reed, Tyler Melancon and Nathan Martine all scored for the Storm while Thomas McCollum turned away 37 shots and stopped six Spitfires shooters in the shootout. Storm rookie Taylor Beck was the shootout hero scoring the winning goal in the seventh round to lift the Storm over the Spits 4-3. Friday night at home the Storm defeated Western Conference rivals the Plymouth Whalers for the first time in six match-ups. Brandon Buck, Anthony Nigro, Corey Syvret and Rafael Rotter all scored for the Storm in the 4-1 win. With a six point weekend last week, the Storm now have a commanding hold on the third spot in the Midwest Division. Only six points separate the five clubs in the Western Conference currently ranked fourth through eighth. The Storm will need to continue their strong play that has seen them pick up 27 of 36 possible points (0.750 winning percentage) since the beginning of December to remain in the hunt for home ice in the first round of the post-season.
Anthony Nigro Grand and Toy Player of the Week- Nigro picked up five points- two goals and three assists-in three games this past week. On Thursday night in the Storm's 4-3 shootout win against the Windsor Spitfires, Nigro assisted on the Storm's third and final regulation goal of the night. The 18 year old scored what turned out to be the game winner against the Plymouth Whalers on Friday night at the Sleeman Centre and added to his productive weekend on Sunday afternoon at the Sleeman Centre when he scored the game winner for the second consecutive game and added two helpers in the Storm's 8-3 win over the visiting Erie Otters. The Woodbridge native was also named third star of the game for his efforts.
Nigro's play has been very consistent as of late. In 44 games this season he has recorded 33 points, 20 of those coming in the last two months. He is fifth on the Storm in points while his 18 goals rank him second on the team in scoring, one behind team leader Brandon Buck (19). The sophomore forward also leads the team in power play goals (10) and has six game winning goals. A number that not only tops the Storm, but ranks him tied for third in the entire league.
Wednesday, January 23rd: Guelph Storm at Owen Sound Attack, 7:30 pm
The Storm travel to Owen Sound on Wednesday night to face off against the Attack for the sixth time this season. Only two more match-ups remain between these clubs, one in Guelph on the last home game of the regular season-March 14th and one in Owen Sound at the end of February on the 23rd. So far this year the Attack have won three of the five contests by scores of 3-2, 3-2 and 5-2. The Storm won the last match-up back on January 11th defeating the Attack 4-1. With a record of 18-25-2-2 the Attack currently sit fourth in the Midwest division with 40 points, eight points behind the third place Storm.
Saturday, January 26th: Guelph Storm at Saginaw Spirit, 7:30 pm
On Saturday the Storm travel to Saginaw for the second and final time this season. The Storm lead the regular season series two games to none after winning both previous contests by a score of 3-1. The final regular season game between these two teams is the next home game in Guelph on February 8th.
Sunday, January 27th: Guelph Storm at Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 2:00 pm
The Storm travel to the Soo on Sunday for an afternoon match-up against the Greyhounds. The last time these teams played each other was the final game before the Christmas break back on December 16th when the Storm defeated the Greyhounds by a score of 3-0. So far this season the regular season series is tied at a win a piece with the Greyhounds defeating the Storm 4-1in the home opener of the 2007-08 season. The next two match-ups between these two teams take place in Sault Ste. Marie with the final regular season game played on February 10th.
Team Defence Key to Storm Turnaround
As the Storm prepare for a difficult stretch of schedule that includes nine of their next ten games away from the Sleeman Centre, the team will look to build on their solid play since the start of December. Since going winless in November, Guelph has been among the best teams in the Ontario Hockey League picking up 27 out of a possible 36 points to jump into the mix for fourth in the conference and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The turnaround has been built on improved team defence with their goals against per game for the past 18 games only 2.17 after allowing 3.44 goals per game in their first 27 regular season contests. While not as dramatic, the Storm's offence has improved during the 18 game stretch jumping to 3.44 since December 1st compared to 3.04 before.
Since December 1st, the Storm owns the league's best road winning percentage (0.714) and leads the OHL in goals against per home game (1.64). Guelph also ranks in the top five in goals against (3rd), goals for per away game (5th) and goals against per away game (4th).
Drew Doughty and Thomas McCollum to Attend Top Prospects Game
Drew Doughty and Thomas McCollum left for the Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects game on Monday. The roster of 40 players will compete in the 2008 Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta on January 22 and 23. The game will be broadcast live on Rogers Sportsnet.
The rosters are selected by the 30 NHL general managers as well as the NHL's Central Scouting department. "The Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is a major event where scouts can see all the premier draft-eligible players in Major Junior hockey compete head-to-head," said NHL Central Scouting Director, E.J. McGuire.
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2008
- Storm this Week - Guelph Storm
- Whalers Look To Rebound During Busy Weekend - Plymouth Whalers
- Majors Plan to "Paint the Rink Pink" - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
- Spitfires' Bailey named Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week - OHL
- Support Charity and Win Money with a BIG Ticket - Saginaw Spirit
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