Guelph Storm extend win streak in return from break
GUELPH – The Guelph Storm had a victorious return to Ontario Hockey League play following the Christmas break as they downed the Erie Otters 3-1 Thursday night at the Sleeman Centre.
It was the third consecutive home game for the Storm and fourth straight win as they won their final three games before the break – 3-2 over the Owen Sound Attack at Owen Sound Dec. 13, 7-5 over the Peterborough Petes at the Sleeman Centre Dec. 15 and 3-2 in overtime over the Soo Greyhounds at the Sleeman Centre Dec. 16.
Thursday, the Storm scored the first two goals of the game and led 2-1 after the opening period. The game’s only other goal came with about seven and a half minutes to go in the third.
Michael Buchinger, Charlie Paquette and Max Namestnikov scored once each for Guelph while single assists were awarded to Jett Luchanko, Namestnikov, Gavin Grundner, Rowan Topp and Braeden Bowman.
Spencer Sova scored for Erie with three seconds to go in the first period. Pano Fimis helped on the goal.
The Storm were outshot 29-24 by Erie and went 1-for-4 on their power play while the Otters were scoreless on six power plays.
Brayden Gillespie had 28 saves in the Storm net while Ben Gaudreau had 21 for Erie.
The Storm are fourth in the Western Conference at 20-12-1-1. They’re a point behind the third-place London Knights (21-11-0-1) and one ahead of the Saginaw Spirit (20-10-0-1). The Otters are seventh at 14-13-4-0.
The Storm are to play the Flint Firebirds (13-16-2-1) at Flint’s Dort Financial Center Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Niagara IceDogs (8-20-4-1) at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines Sunday at 6 p.m.
- Guelph Sports Journal