Greyhounds broom Storm, await Round 2 opponent
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo courtesy of Sarah Amelia Studios
Playoff hockey is nothing without surplus amounts of perseverance and determination.
The Soo Greyhounds displayed an ample measure of both in sweeping the Guelph Storm in four straight games in the best-of-seven, Western Conference quarter-finals.
On a Wednesday night when the Hounds were defensive standouts, Jordan D’Intino scored twice and helped set up another. The result was a 5-1 victory over the Storm in front of 4,621 at the Sleeman Centre.
“It’s a special group doing special things,” said head coach John Dean, whose team will likely meet the Saginaw Spirit in Round 2 of the playoffs. “The biggest thing for me is the willingness of our guys to sacrifice themselves for the group.”
“We were very determined,” added D’Intino. “This thing wasn’t going to five (games), for sure. The boys wanted it done and we got it done.”
Julian Fantino, who had a pair of assists for the winners, talked about how elimination games must be taken advantage of.
“We were extremely hungry. We wanted to close it out tonight,” Fantino added. “Hard work was the key. We were relentless on our forecheck and stayed on top of pucks.”
The Spirit also advanced on Wednesday, beating Owen Sound 5-1 to sweep that series. If London eliminates Flint (the Knights lead 3-0 going into Game 4 on Thursday), the Hounds and Spirit will square off in Round 2.
Were that to happen, the first two games would be played at the Dow Event Center.
As he looked ahead following Wednesday’s game, Dean discussed how Guelph “prepared us for the next round. I was really impressed with Guelph. They really pushed and worked and competed.”
The Soo coach also lauded his team.
“I loved the way we stuck to our guns and stuck to our structure for 60 minutes,” Dean said.
The Hounds held the Storm to a single power-play goal on Wednesday, and permitted just four even-strength goals – and nine overall – in the four-game series.
“If we do something special, it’ll be based on our defensive play,” Dean added. “We know we can score. But we believe we’re one of the better defensive teams in the league, if not the best. I’m really appreciative of the way our guys defended in this series.”
To that end, the coach credited netminder Charlie Schenkel for his Game 4 performance.
With the score tied 1-1, the visitors took the lead for good just before the nine-minute mark of the second period. On a 3-on-2, Jacob Frasca made a cross-ice feed to Gavin Hayes who was streaking down the right wing. Hayes beat netminder Brayden Gillespie on the blocker side to make it 2-1.
D’Intino scored a highlight-reel marker nine minutes later. Fantino sent him away on a break and D’Intino’s brilliant, forehand-to-backhand move concluded with a backhander high to the glove side.
Was it his prettiest goal this season?
“It’s up there,” said the London native. “I have a tendency to go backhand, but I wanted to shelf it.”
The overage winger made it 4-1 at 8:30 of the final frame. D’Intino redirected a Fantino feed past Gillespie and the Soo had a three-goal cushion.
Owen Allard capped the scoring with an empty-net marker.
Brady Martin had the other Hounds goal, opening the scoring at 14:49 of the first period. The rookie took a drop-pass from Caeden Carlisle, cut into the slot from the left wing and beat Gillespie high to the blocker side.
Guelph’s Michael Buchinger connected on the power play in the first minute of the second period. The veteran rearguard took a rebound off the end boards and, from the slot, beat Schenkel to tie the game 1-1.
“All four lines were rolling and buzzing,” Fantino said. “We were all over them.”
“We bent but we didn’t break,” D’Intino added.
Asked what he took from this series, Dean didn’t hesitate.
“I love that our guys care more about their teammates than they do about themselves,” the coach said. “We believe we have a good enough team to win. We have the talent, we have the skill. But we think we have the best character, and that was really displayed in this series.”
The Hounds will have Thursday off and possibly Friday, prior to beginning preparations for Round 2. The series is likely to start in the latter part of next week.