Storm Thumped by Sting
March 15, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
Though only one team won the hockey game, you could say both teams won something after the game.
The Guelph Storm secured the 1st overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection while the Sarnia Sting captured the West Division Title as Sarnia defeated Guelph 7-1 Tuesday night at the Sleeman Centre.
Although they'd prefer to make the playoffs, the future for the Storm (12-47-4-2) looks even brighter knowing the team will select first at the upcoming draft.
In Tuesday night's game, Luke Burghardt scored the lone goal for Guelph while Michael Giugovaz took the loss in net with 28 saves.
For the Sting, Matt Mistele (3-1-4) and Jordan Kyrou (1-3-4) led the way with four points each while Nikita Korostelev had two goals. Charlie Graham secured the win in goal with 15 saves.
The Stom have now lost 11 straight games.
A mere 2:43 after the opening puck drop, Sarnia (40-18-5-2) captured the lead.
On a draw in the Guelph zone, Kyrou won the face-off straight back to Mistele who sniped a wrist shot to the top right of the net through traffic to give his team a 1-0 advantage early.
A back-and-forth first period saw the visitors take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Nearly midway through the second period, Korostelev scored his first of two markers on the evening. Korostelev snapped a high-rising shot to the top of the net behind Giugovaz as the Sting took a 2-0 lead.
Not long after gaining a two-goal lead, the visitors increased that number to three. Controlling the puck in the Storm zone, Pavel Zacha found a gap between the Guelph defence where he stepped in unpressured and fired a wrist shot high over the blocker of Giugovaz as the Sting went up 3-0.
With 2:59 remaining in the period, Burghardt gave Storm fans at the Sleeman Centre something to cheer about.
Burghardt received a pass from Nicolas Sicoly in the slot before he put the puck on his backhand and raised it over a sprawling Graham. The goal extended Burghardt's point streak to four games.
However, those cheering were quickly silenced.
26 seconds after Guelph narrowed the lead to two goals, Korostelev netted his second of the night as Sarnia made it 4-1.
Korostelev broke into the Storm zone with speed when he deked around a Guelph defender and slipped the puck through the legs of Giugovaz.
Through the first 40 minutes of action, the Storm were only able to throw eight shots on goal compared to Sarnia's 25, and things just got worse for the home side in the third period.
Mistele netted his second of the game after a turnover in the Guelph zone led to a point shot from Jakob Chychrun. Giugovaz stopped the initial shot but the rebound bounced out to Mistele who backhanded it into the net to make it 5-1.
Kyrou would extend the Sting's advantage to 6-1 after he broke into the Storm zone with speed and put a wrist shot off the right post and into the net. Mistele completed the hat-trick with 2:33 remaining as Sarnia finished the season series sweep of Guelph with a 7-1 win.
The Storm went 0-for-3 on the power play while the Sting were 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
Guelph is back in action this Friday, March 18 when they host the Owen Sound Attack in the final home game this season. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES
- Tonight's game was the 4th and final meeting between the two teams. Sarnia swept the season series 4-0.
- Guelph has lost 11 straight games.
- Luke Burghardt now has points in 4 straight games (2-2-4)
- Sarnia clinched the West Division Title for the first time since 2004.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2016
- Storm Thumped by Sting - Guelph Storm
- Colts Give up Four Unanswered in Loss to Petes - Barrie Colts
- Rangers to Face Spitfires in Opening Round of Playoffs - Kitchener Rangers
- Weekend Preview - March 15, 16, 19 & 20 - Barrie Colts
- Mangiapane Named CHL Player of the Week - Barrie Colts
- Spirit Weekly - Saginaw Spirit
- Colts' Andrew Mangiapane Named CHL Player of the Week - OHL
- Sanvido Named Motorburger Player of the Week - Windsor Spitfires
- Young Prospects in Waiting - Sudbury Wolves
- SuperWolves Raise $10,000 for NOFCC - Sudbury Wolves
- Steelheads Playoff Launch Party March 20th - Brampton Steelheads
- DeKoning Named Becker Shoes Player of the Week - Owen Sound Attack
- Game Preview: Storm Host Sting in Mid-Week Match-Up - Guelph Storm
- OSEG Seeking Candidates to Perform Anthems - Ottawa 67's
- Hajt and Being a Guelph Storm - Guelph Storm
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