BULLDOGS DOWN STORM
HAMILTON, ONTARIO – Matthew Strome had two goals and an assist for the Hamilton Bulldogs (23-32-8-0) to help lead them to a 5-3 victory over the Guelph Storm (12-43-4-2) at the FirstOntario Centre on Saturday evening.
Strome opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game as he jumped on a loose puck at the side of the net. Matt Luff and Niki Pettiassisted on Strome’s fourteenth of the year.
At 11:14 the Bulldogs went ahead 2-0 when Michael Cramarossa found a cutting Adam Laishram who broke in alone and put it past Guelph goaltender Michael Giugovaz. Forward Trent Fox had the secondary assist.
Hamilton went up 3-0 after Strome found the puck in front and beat Giugovaz for his second goal of the game. Defenceman Justin Lemcke and Luff had the assists at 16:24.
Guelph got one back before the period was out when rookie Nick Deakin–Poot was left alone in front and converted his second chance opportunity. Forwards Matthew Hotchkiss and Kyle West registered assists on Deakin-Poot’s third of the year at 17:42.
In the second, Storm defenceman Garrett McFadden wristed home his ninth of the year from just inside the blueline. Hotchkiss and JamesMcEwan delivered the assists at 11:14.
A slick toe-drag around the defender by MacKenzie Entwistle and a wrist shot through the five-hole put the ‘Dogs ahead 4-2. The unassisted goal came at 5:50 of the third.
The Storm got back to within one when McEwan put home a juicy rebound that popped into the slot. The goal at 8:32 was assisted by GivaniSmith and C.J. Garcia.
With Giugovaz pulled for the extra attacker, Luff converted his twenty-third of the year at 18:47 to make the final 5-3. Strome, with his third point of the night, had the lone assist.
Fulcher had 30 saves in the win for the Bulldogs, while Giugovaz stopped 29 shots in the loss for the Storm.
Hamilton went 0-for-1 on the powerplay, while Guelph was 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
The Bulldogs are back on the ice tomorrow afternoon for a 3:00 p.m. matchup with the Ottawa 67’s.
3 Stars
1-Matthew Strome (2G, 1A)
2-Matt Luff (1 G, 2A)
3-James McEwan (1G,1A)
Dan Lawrie Premium Player of the Game (Hardest Working Player): Kaden Fulcher
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