Three Unanswered Goals Lead to a Point for the Storm
Published on December 18, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
The Guelph Storm scored three unanswered goals before falling in overtime to the London Knights at the Budweiser Gardens on Friday night, taking home a point in the 5-4 loss.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com ---
Even with the loss, this one proved something.
The Guelph Storm may have fell 5-4 in overtime to the London Knights on Friday, but the overall effort that led to an earned point on the night is a significant step forward.
The Storm, falling behind 3-0 with just over 22 minutes played in the contest, pushed back and rallied to tie things up at four in the final 20 minutes of play, scoring three unanswered goals in the process.
Tyler Hill, in his return from injury, registered two assists on the night, while Matt Hotchkiss got things going on the scoreboard for the Storm in the second period.
Justin Nichols was solid in the paint before having to head to the dressing room with 24:05 played, turning aside 12 of 15 shots. In his relief, Bradley van Schubert stepped in, putting forth an impressive effort with 24 of 26 saves through 40:54 of play.
To start the contest, the Storm came out of the gates ready to play, showing lots of energy with offensive pressure while controlling the play for the majority of the first half of the frame.
As things started to open up in both ends of the ice, Kole Sherwood, driving the Storm net, drew the game's first penalty with Garrett McFadden given a minor for high sticking at the 11:32 point.
Shortly after fending off the league's first overall power play and returning to even strength, London's Sherwood took hold of the spotlight once again. This time, the 1997-born rookie, stripping Luke Burghardt of the puck in London's zone, turned the play around, splitting Guelph's defense to pocket the game's first goal with 5:56 remaining in the period.
The game remained opened for both sides, with the Storm having a few chances of their own to tie things up at one - including a C.J. Garcia blast whistling just wide of the post as the period's final minutes winded down.
The Knights had the final say of the opening 20 minutes, though, as - with just eight seconds left on the clock - Chandler Yakimowicz extended the home squad's lead to two after capitalizing on an open net with Nichols knocked down and out of position by Storm defender Garcia on the play.
Aaron Berisha wasted no time picking things up where the Knights left off, extending London's lead to three just 2:01 into the middle frame.
The Storm found the board with a response almost five minutes later as Matt Hotchkiss, on the backhand in front off a rebound, registered his second of the season to make it a 3-1 game.
Later with just 1:07 left on the clock for the period, keeping up the trend of late markers, Max Jones restored London's three-goal lead with a nifty play in tight.
That wasn't it for the frame, however, as Givani Smith made sure to have the final say with 27 seconds left, registering a new career-high in goals with his eighth of the season, pulling the Storm within two once again.
Getting things going quickly in the third, James McEwan - left alone in front - made it a one-goal contest just 56 seconds into the final period.
Next up, rounding out three unanswered goals for the visitors, McFadden fired a shot from the point with Tyler Hill providing a six-foot-six, 236-pound screen at the 5:42 point of the frame.
Tie game. 4-4.
The Storm continued to push, coming up with several opportunities to pull ahead, while Van Schubert remained impeccable in the paint.
Regulation would expire, though, forcing extra time for only the second time this season for Guelph.
With the three-on-three format, both teams had chances to take home the second point, however, with 1:14 remaining in the extra period, Berisha would win it with his second of the game, making way for a 5-4 final in favour of the Knights.
The Storm return home for the final game before the holiday break, hosting the Mississauga Steelheads at 2:00pm on Saturday.
---
GAME NOTES
Friday's match-up was the fourth of six match-ups between the Storm and the Knights this season.
The Knights now hold a 4-0 season series lead.
Guelph has now scord four goals in six games this season, with two of those efforts recorded at the Budweiser Gardens.
With a goal on Friday, Givani Smith surpassed his rookie goal total of seven set in 61 games last season, now registering eight so far this campaign.
Tyler Hill, returning to the line up after being sidelined due to injury, registered two assists on the night.
Following Friday's visit to London, the Storm host the Mississauga Steelheads on Saturday for the last game before the holiday break.
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