During a 3-in-3 weekend, the Storm compiled 1-2-0-0 record
To begin the Eastern swing on Nov. 14, the Guelph Storm dropped a 5-0 decision to the Kingston Frontenacs. A tough start to a three-in-three stretch, however, the defending champions would rebound the following night on Nov. 15 in Belleville with a 2-1 victory.
Despite solid play from Storm goaltender Justin Nichols in the first period of play, the Belleville Bulls would jump ahead early. At the halfway mark, Belleville’s Adam Laishram capitalized off the rush to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.
Nichols would go on to make several remarkable saves on the period, including a quick flash of the glove with just under five minutes left to ensure his team remained only down by one heading into the second.
To open the middle frame, the Storm came out on the offensive immediately. Robby Fabbri and Tyler Bertuzzi would create a dangerous rush minutes in, followed by captain Jason Dickinson who was also turned away by Bulls’ netminder Charlie Graham.
The Storm wouldn’t solve Graham until just over three minutes remaining in the game. Sophomore defenseman Garrett McFadden pocketed his second of the season, finally capitalizing on the immense amount of pressure the visiting team was displaying.
The game winner came with just 1:10, remaining as Belleville’s Jack Hanley would be awarded two minutes in the penalty box for holding. Bertuzzi, later given first star honours, would notch the goal to solidify the 2-1 third period win for the Storm.
Bulls’ goaltender Graham turned away 50 of 52 shots, while Nichols stopped 32 of 33 earning the game’s third star.
The final match-up of the Eastern road trip in Ottawa didn’t go quite as well the following afternoon on Nov. 16. With three-games in less than three-days, and both Fabbri and Bertuzzi playing their fourth in just as many days after representing Team OHL on Nov. 13, the Storm evidently ran out of gas in a game where they began playing catch-up.
The Storm took a little time to find their legs to start, allowing the Ottawa 67’s to jump ahead 2-0 just 6:38 into the first period. Sam Studnicka, who notched a hat-trick on the game, found the back of the net first while Phil Baltisberger and Chadd Bauman of the Storm were unable to clear the scramble in front. Nathan Todd would be next, recording his first career-goal in the OHL.
The Storm immediately regrouped, following a time out call, turning the period around. Fabbri capitalized shorthanded minutes later, after an incredible burst of speed to breakaway from the play.
At the 18:22 mark, Bertuzzi tied the game up at two on the power play with a shot redirect past Ottawa’s goaltender Liam Herbst.
That would be as close as the Storm would get to the lead, however, as the 67’s came out in the second to take control of the scoreboard.
Just over five minutes in, Studnicka pocketed his second of the game to give the 67’s a 3-2 lead. Ottawa-native and Storm veteran Zac Leslie would respond a minute later, tying the game up once again with his first of the season. Leslie would earn third star recognition in his hometown, registering two goals and an assist on the game.
The 67’s retook the lead on the power play next, with Jacob Middleton putting one past Nichols eight seconds into the man-advantage. Heading into the final period it would be 4-3 for Ottawa, a deficit the Storm would never be able to overtake.
Studnicka opened the final 20 minutes with capping off the hat trick, making it 5-3 for the 67’s. The Storm were noticeably tired, as they allowed Jeremiah Addison to strike next at the 5:58 mark to make it 6-3. Leslie would score his second of the game to cut the lead to two, but the climb back would fall just short.
The final score would be 8-5 for the 67’s, with Dante Salituro pocketing one and Todd grabbing the empty-netter. Fabbri would be the fourth goal scorer for the Storm.
The Guelph Storm return home on Nov. 21 with the Plymouth Whalers in town.