Tyler Bertuzzi sets franchise record with seven points in a single game
Following up an 11-1 loss to the London Knights on Nov. 6 and a 3-1 defeat – their third loss in a row – to the Saginaw Spirit on Nov. 7, the Guelph Storm proved they don’t forget quickly.
On Nov. 9, the Knights travelled to Guelph for the second meeting in four days between the division rivals. The Knights were riding an eight-game win streak, while the Storm were in danger of dropping four in a row for the first time on the season.
Donning one-of-a-kind Remembrance Day jerseys, the Storm exploded for five goals in the first 20 minutes of play. Pius Suter, who registered three goals for five points on the night, opened the scoring seven minutes into the game.
London’s Mitchell Marner responded less than two minutes later, tying the game up at one. Marner would go on to pocket two goals in the period.
Suter scored next, registering his second of the game and his 14th goal of the season.
With additional goals from Robby Fabbri – who also recorded a hat trick for six points on the game – and Tyler Bertuzzi, the Storm would head into the first intermission with a 5-2 lead.
The Knights would never get a hold of the lead, coming only within one as Michael McCarron scored back-to-back goals for a 5-4 score in the second period.
That would be it for the visiting squad, as the Storm would respond with four more goals to cap off the dominating 9-4 win.
The top line of Bertuzzi, Fabbri, and Suter combined for 18 points on the night, with Bertuzzi setting a franchise record for points in a single game with two goals for seven points, earning first star honours. Fabbri and Suter were named second and third star respectively.
Storm defenceman Ben Harpur, playing in just his second game back in the line up after being sidelined with a knee injury, also scored in the contest.
Zac Leslie was another notable for the defending champions, as the Los Angeles Kings prospect notched three assists in the game, bringing his season total to ten assists in ten games played.
Justin Nichols, between the pipes for Guelph, turned aside 25 of 29 shots, while London’s starter Michael Giugovaz was replaced at the start of the second period after allowing five goals on 17 shots. Rookie Tyler Parsons stopped 18 of 22 shots in two periods of play for the Knights.
Guelph looks ahead to a three-in-three weekend on the road, stopping in Kingston first to face the Frontenacs first on Nov. 14. The following night on Nov. 15 sees the Storm in Belleville to play the Colts, with the road trip ending in Ottawa on Nov. 16 against the 67’s.