Guelph Storm nipped in overtime by Sarnia Sting
SARNIA – The Guelph Storm’s losing streak in Ontario Hockey League reached six games Saturday at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena when they were edged 3-2 in overtime by the Sarnia Sting.
The Storm’s last win was a 3-2 victory in overtime over the Sting at the Sleeman Centre Jan. 26.
Saturday, the Storm led 2-1 heading into the final minute of regulation time before the Sting netted the equalizer with 46 seconds to go. The hosts added the winning goal 22 seconds into overtime.
Ryan McGuire and Charlie Paquette had a goal apiece for Guelph while Paquette and Thomas Budnick each had an assist.
Marko Sikic, Ryan Brown and Easton Wainwright each had a goal for Sarnia while Lukas Fischer assisted on two of the goals and Tyson Doucette assisted on one.
The winning goal gave Sarnia a 23-22 edge in shots on net and neither team registered a power-play goal. The Storm had four power plays, twice as many as Sarnia.
Goaltenders Damian Slavik of the Storm and Nick Surzycia of Sarnia each had 20 saves.
The Storm’s losing streak has allowed the teams below them in the Western Conference standings to close up. Guelph, at 25-20-4-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL), is fifth in the standings, one point ahead of the Owen Sound Attack (24-21-4-2), five ahead of the Erie Otters (23-24-4-0), eight ahead of the Sting (22-27-3-0) and nine ahead of the Flint Firebirds (21-25-3-1).
London Knights (37-11-0-3) lead the conference while Saginaw Spirit (36-13-0-1) are second, Soo Greyhounds (33-14-2-1) are third, Kitchener Rangers (31-19-2-1) are fourth and Windsor Spitfires (16-29-3-2) are 10th.
Saturday’s game was the first of three consecutive road games for the Storm as they’re to play the Rangers in Kitchener Tuesday at 7 p.m. and the Peterborough Petes (ninth in Eastern Conference at 16-28-5-1) in Peterborough Thursday at 7:05 p.m. before hosting Erie Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Sleeman Centre.
- Guelph Sports Journal