SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Starting the Pre-season in Style

The Steelheads open the pre-season with a shootout victory over the Guelph Storm

First Period

The Steelheads hit the ice for the first time this pre-season on Friday night looking to build on what was a successful training camp. The Trout head into tonight’s game against the Guelph Storm with a few new faces, Luke Dragusica, Kieran Witkowski, Gabriel Chiarot and Jack Ivankovic all made their debut in the Blue and White.

The opening frame started off slow, with play going from end to end but neither team were able to generate many high quality scoring chances. Despite the Steelheads drawing numerous power play opportunities, they were unable to solve the Guelph netminder. 

With just over two minutes remaining in the period, the Storm opened the scoring. That goal stood as the only goal of the period and the Steelheads headed into the first intermission trailing 1-0.

Shots on Goal – 7 GUE/12 MISS

Second Period

The second period started where the first period left off. Guelph was pushing the pace but Steelheads 2023 first-round draft selection Jack Ivankovic stood strong and made a big stop early. 

After some extracurricular activities, the Steelheads seemed to gain the momentum back. Justin DeZoete picked up the puck in the offensive zone and unleashed a missile of a snapshot over the short-side shoulder of the Guelph netminder to make the score 1-1. 

Shortly after tying the game, the Steelheads got themselves into penalty trouble and the Storm capitalized on their opportunity. Ivankovic remained strong through another Storm power play, keeping it a one goal game. 

On another Storm man advantage, Misa showed off his speed on a breakaway roofing it from in tight to tie the game at two. That would be it for the second as both teams headed to the locker room in a deadlock 2-2.

Shots on Goal – 15 GUE/8 MISS

Third Period

The third started with some early push from the trout as Jack Van Volsen rang one off the post less than a minute into the frame. The Steelheads and Storm exchanged chances in the first half of the third but both goalies remained strong.

As the game approached the halfway mark and a Steelheads power play expired, Namestnikov walked in all alone and Ivankovic made a highlight reel glove save keeping the game tied. 

The game mellowed out from that point on, with neither team wanting to make a mistake. Offsetting minor penalties brought the game to four-on-four and the open ice provided some action, however both goaltenders shut the door and the game needed extra innings. 

Shots on Goal – 13 GUE/10 MISS

Shootout 

Porter Martone (MISS) – GOAL

Braedan Bowman (GUE) – MISS

Luke Misa (MISS) – GOAL

Max Namestnikov (GUE) – MISS

Jack Van Volsen (MISS) – GOAL

Total Shots – 35 GUE/31 MISS

Three Stars:

1. Jack Ivankovic (33 SV)
2. Luke Misa (1G)
3. Justin DeZoete (1G)

The Steelheads will look to build on this victory and keep things rolling as they head to Ayr North Dumfries Community Centre on Sunday to take on the Guelph Storm once again. You can purchase tickets to our pre-season game in Orangeville by clicking here.