Guelph Storm fade for another loss on home ice
GUELPH – The Guelph Storm yielded the final four goals of the game as they suffered a 5-3 loss to the London Knights in Ontario Hockey League play Saturday night at the Sleeman Centre.
The loss was the third consecutive loss at home for the Storm who haven’t won at home since a 4-1 victory over the Knights Dec. 11. However, they did have three home games postponed due to COVID protocols.
London 5 Guelph Storm 3
The Knights did score the lone goal of the first period while the Storm responded with three in a row in the second period before London scored late in the period to trail 3-2 at the end of the stanza.
The game was the third of three consecutive home games for the Storm and the second of their three-in-three weekend.
Jake Karabela, Michael Buchinger and Braeden Bowman struck for a goal apiece for the Storm while Matthew Poitras had two assists and Valentin Zhugin, Sasha Pastujov and Karabela had one each.
London received goals from Cody Morgan, Gerard Keane, Sean McGurn, Antonio Stranges and Luke Evangelista and one assists apiece from Stranges, Ben Bujold, Max McCue, Landon Sim, Logan Mailloux, Luke Evangelista, Morgan and McGurn.
A 13-3 advantage in the third period gave the Knights a 33-23 edge in shots on net. Both teams were scoreless on their power plays – London had five and Guelph had four.
Owen Flores turned aside 20 shots to get the win in the London net while Storm goaltender Owen Bennett had 28 saves, but was tagged with the loss.
The game was the Storm’s fourth in a week, all played since returning from an extended Christmas break due to COVID protocols.
The Storm are to complete their weekend with a game against the Knights Sunday at 2 p.m. at London’s Budweiser Gardens.
- Guelph Sports Journal