Defending Champions Enjoy a 2-0 Weekend at Home
The Guelph Storm enjoyed a 2-0 weekend at home, downing the Niagara IceDogs 3-2 on Oct. 17, followed up with a 5-3 win over the Saginaw Spirit on Oct. 19. The two victories featured star-forward Robby Fabbri back in the Storm lineup. Fabbri, who returned from the St. Louis Blues training camp with an upper-body injury, wasted no time in his return tallying three points in the two contests.
Fan-favourite Tyler Bertuzzi and goaltender Justin Nichols were the clear game changers for the Storm against the IceDogs. Bertuzzi, who signed an entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings that same day, scored the game-winning-goal for the Storm, while Nichols was remarkable in net, stopping 34 of 36 shots.
The Storm were first on the scoreboard as Bertuzzi made no mistake on a rebound in tight off a Stephen Pierog shot 5:47 into the first. Special teams would lead the way for the remainder of the first period, with the home team awarded six straight minor penalties, capped off with a ten-minute misconduct handed to Fabbri in the last minute of the period. Guelph maintained the 1-0 lead killing off each of the penalties including two instances of 5-on-3 man advantages for Niagara.
The IceDogs came out strong in the middle frame, finally managing to get on the board seven minutes into the period with a shot off a faceoff from Cody Payne. It was then Niagara’s turn to spend some time in the penalty box as they were faced with four straight minor penalties. Fabbri would capitalize putting the home squad up 2-1 after firing a rebound past IceDogs goaltender Brent Moran.
The final 20 minutes closed out the penalty parade with five more minors, capping off the running total on 52 penalty minutes handed out on the game.
The game would see an even strength goal however, with the IceDogs’ Aaron Haydon tying the game up at two halfway through the third.
The tie wouldn’t last long though, as Bertuzzi put the puck past Moran from a tough angle on the powerplay, solidifying the 3-2 win for the Storm.
Second to the penalty parade, the goaltenders were the obvious stars of the game with Moran turning away 37 of 40 shots earning third star honours, while Nichols was named first star.
Strong performances from Fabbri and Bertuzzi yet again would give the Storm their second win in a row over the Saginaw Spirit on Oct. 19.
The Spirit capitalized first with Nick Moutrey putting one past Nichols in tight. Just when it looked as though the Storm were heading into the first intermission down a goal, Bertuzzi found the back of the net to tie the game up at one with just 42 seconds remaining.
The second saw the Spirit jump ahead again as Artem Artemov pocketed a goal off a pass from Luke Cairns 1:34 into the period.
With Storm defender Zac Leslie sitting for two, the Spirit were looking to build on the 2-1 lead on the powerplay. It would be Guelph’s special teams however, that would capitalize shorthanded with the coined “Fabbri-lous” star breaking in alone and burying an incredible backhand deke to tie the game up at two.
The middle frame featured two more goals late in the period with Artemov netting his second, while the Storm tied it up yet again with just 1:03 remaining on a goal from Pierog.
The Fabbri-effect was in full force in the final 20 as No. 9 completed a toe-drag before pocketing his second goal of the game to put the Storm ahead 4-3.
Rookie defenseman Austin Hall would score his first in the OHL to give the home team some wiggle room, closing out the 5-3 win over Saginaw. Another rookie Storm defenseman, Noah Carroll, had two assists on the night marking the first multi-point game of his OHL career.
Nichols had another solid game between the pipes stopping 32 of 35 shots.
The Storm are back at home on Oct. 24 to face off against the Windsor Spitfires.