Goalie Battle in Guelph Falls the Storm’s Direction
The Attack and Storm found themselves in a familiar Friday night affair at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, as a snowy January night was the backdrop to a heated rivalry game between the Midwest division opponents, fighting for two important points in the standings.
Guelph grabbed the lead midway into the opening frame as Thomas Budnick snuck in from the top of the zone and fired a puck past Attack goaltender Trenten Bennett who was making his 3rd start and 4th appearance for the bears this season. The Attack responded with several good chances including a quick-strike shot off the crossbar from Antonio Tersigni during a strong penalty kill late in the period, but couldn’t solve the Storm’s rookie stopper Zachary Jovanovski.
The Attack held the shot share advantage in the second period, outshooting the Storm 19 to 6 including several good chances on their first powerplay of the game midway through the period. The bears forced Guelph into another undisciplined penalty soon after as Pierce Mbuyi was caught with a knee from over-ager Max Namestnikov. Storm tender Jovanovski stood tall in the Guelph crease despite several great opportunities for the team in white throughout the middle frame.
A late 2nd period powerplay carried over to the final period and the Attack carried their momentum alongside it, peppering the rookie Storm netminder with more shots early into the third. The bears once again carried the play, but couldn’t crack through on their opportunities on the powerplay or 5 on 5. Rookie Trenten Bennett (24 saves) had another strong period keeping the deficit at one when the Storm had their chances.
Down to the wire several Attack chances came close but couldn’t solve Jovanovski who finished with 40 saves in a 2-0 decision. The Storm netted an empty netter to finish off the game with just eight seconds remaining, almost mirroring the Attack’s home win against the Storm from the teams’ last meeting at the Bayshore back on December 30th.
The Attack are back at it Saturday night as the Niagara IceDogs visit the Lum. Tickets are available online at tickets.attackhockey.com or in person at the MacVicar and McComb Sutton-Sound Realty Attack Box Office.
