Storm falls to Windsor Spitfires in a shootout

WINDSOR – The Guelph Storm grabbed an early lead, but fell 4-3 in a shootout to the Western Conference-leading Windsor Spitfires in Ontario Hockey League play Thursday night at the WFCU Centre.

All three Windsor shooters in the shootout scored while the Storm had one goal in two shootout attempts. Windsor secured the win with their third shootout goal.

Windsor 4 Guelph Storm 3 (SO)

The Storm had shot ahead early with a pair of goals in the game’s first seven and a half minutes, but Windsor rallied with three consecutive goals, two on power plays, to force the Storm to need a goal exactly midway through the third period to take the game beyond regulation time.

The teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the first period before Windsor had the lone goal of the second and Guelph had the third period’s only goal.

Brayden Guy, Sasha Pastujov and Valentin Zhugin had a goal apiece for the Storm while Matthew Poitras had two assists and Luka Profaca and Guy had one each.

Daniel D’Amico, Will Cuylle and Wyatt Johnston scored in regulation time for the hosts while Matthew Maggio had two assists. Getting one assist apiece were Louka Henault, Johnston and Ethan Miedema.

Windsor outshot the Storm 29-20 as the locals were held to less than 10 shots in each period. The Storm didn’t have a power-play opportunity in the game while Windsor went 2-for-3 with a manpower advantage.

Owen Bennett had 26 saves in the Guelph net prior to the shootout while Xavier Medina had 17 saves for Windsor.

The game was the first of three meeting between the teams in a 10-day period. They’re to play Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Sleeman Centre and also April 16 at the Sleeman Centre in the final game of the regular season for both teams.

• Guelph Sports Journal