SmartStop Post Game Recap – Steelheads Trail the Storm in School Day Game
BRAMPTON, ON – Class was officially in session at the CAA Centre. The rink was packed, the atmosphere was electric, and excitement buzzed through the stands as the arena welcomed students from across the region for the annual School Day Game between the Steelheads and the Guelph Storm.
Eager to fire up the energetic crowd, the boys in white and blue came out flying with crisp passes, quick feet, and strong teamwork all on display as they pushed for an early edge.
Five minutes into the opening frame, Storm’s Parker Snelgrove headed to the box for high-sticking, giving the Steelheads the first power play of the morning. The Trout moved the puck well through the neutral zone and generated several quality chances, but despite their sharp execution, they could not convert and remained off the scoreboard. Still, the momentum stayed firmly on their side.
The chants and cheers from thousands of students echoed through the CAA Centre, fueling the Steelheads as they continued to turn the game in their favour.
With seven minutes remaining in the period, Justin Bottineau was assessed a double minor, putting the Trout on an extended penalty kill. The Storm maintained heavy pressure in the offensive zone, but the Steelheads’ defence held strong. A highlight moment came when Stankoven intercepted a misconnected Storm pass and broke free on a breakaway. Though he could not finish the play, it sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Just as Bottineau returned to the ice and the game returned to even strength, Peter Green was called for a penalty. Moments later, Guelph’s Will McFadden joined him in the box, setting up some 4-on-4 action to close out the period.
As the clock wound down on a scoreless first, anticipation grew with every save. Both goaltenders – Zach Bowen and Storm’s Zachary Jovanovski – stood tall, turning aside every shot and keeping the opening goal of the game up for grabs.
The Trout wasted no time setting the tone in the second. Just 20 seconds in, Gabriel Chiarot broke free and ripped a quick short-handed shot on net. Moments later, Troy Patton nearly buried one, and a follow-up attempt from Sean Matthew Goyette was blocked. Chiarot circled behind the net, cut to the front, and tried a slick forehand-backhand move, only missing the back of the net by inches as the Steelheads pressed hard to strike first.
Midway through the frame, Julian Demiglio was sent to the box, and shortly after, Patton joined him, leaving the Trout to battle through a daunting 5-on-3. Despite strong defensive work, Guelph’s puck movement eventually opened a lane, and Will McFadden snapped one home to make it 1-0 for the Storm.
In the final seconds of the period, Parker Von Richter carried the puck in and connected with Chiarot, who fed it right back to Von Richter in front. His shot looked promising, but Jovanovski stood his ground to preserve Guelph’s lead heading into the intermission.
Heading into the final period, plenty of open ice emerged after roughing penalties to both Chiarot and the Storm’s Carter Stevens, resulting in 4-on-4 play. Moments later, another Storm penalty put the Steelheads on a 4-on-3 power play. Just two minutes into the frame, Mason Zebeski broke the deadlock, firing home a power-play marker assisted by David Green. The goal was a milestone moment, marking Zebeski’s 50th in his OHL career, and it brought the crowd to its feet.
The Storm answered quickly, tying the game less than a minute later, and at 5:45, Ethan Miedema restored and extended the Storm’s lead to 3-1.
With 14:18 on the clock, Chiarot cut the deficit to 3-2 with a well-placed shot, giving the Steelheads renewed momentum. However, two rapid goals from the Storm sealed the outcome, securing a 5-2 victory for Guelph.
The Steelheads are back on home ice this Friday, December 5th, where they will take on the Niagara IceDogs.
Three Stars of the Game:
- David Green
- Alex McLean
- Mason Zebeski
Shots:
GUE 29/ BRAM 40
