Game Preview: Highway Six rivalry resumes for round 4
Dropping their last two matches, the Guelph Storm return home for the next installment of the Highway Six rivalry, hosting the Owen Sound Attack for a 7:30 PM puck drop.
Click here to purchase tickets to Friday’s game versus the Owen Sound Attack!
Note: With two home games this weekend, Storm fans have the chance to capitalize on the $12 Weekend Ticket Deal! If you purchased a regular ticket to Friday’s match-up with the Owen Sound Attack, add a ticket to Sunday’s game against the Kingston Frontenacs for just $12! Call (519) 837-9690 or visit HERE for more information.
Coming off a tough loss on the road in Sarnia, the Guelph Storm (10-16-2-1, 5th Midwest) return to the friendly confines of the Sleeman Centre to take on their Highway Six rivals, the Owen Sound Attack (16-13-1-0, 4th Midwest) in their fourth meeting of the season.
Despite a late rally by the Storm on Wednesday it wasn’t enough, and have now lost their past two outings. There were some positive to come out of the loss as the resilient group piled up 49 shots and dominated much of the third period, and will use this momentum entering Friday night’s contest.
Owen Sound are coming off a difficult back-to-back matchup against the top-ranked team in the OHL, the Erie Otters, dropping both of those games. With their last game coming, last Sunday, the Attack will be refreshed and rejuvenated for the fourth installment of the Highway Six series.
The Storm have the edge in the highway six rivalry so far this season, winning two out of three meetings against the Attack.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
Season Series
Oct. 1: Guelph 4 @ Owen Sound 2
Oct. 26: Guelph 2 @ Owen Sound 5
Oct. 28: Guelph 3 vs Owen Sound 1
Player Watch
- Guelph Storm
Rookie defenceman Ryan Merkley is coming off one of his best games of his young OHL career Wednesday night. The 16-year-old Mississauga native, recorded his first multi-goal game, scoring two in a 5-4 loss. The five-foot-11, 165-pound defenceman now sits third in team scoring and is tied for sixth in OHL rookie scoring, with four goals and 13 assists for 17 points in 23 games.
Another rookie playing a key role for the Storm is first-year import, Albert Michnac. The second round pick in the 2016 CHL Import Draft sits third on the Storm in goals scored with eight. The Czech Republic native has been a star feature of the 2016-17 Highway Six series, recording three points in three games. In total, Michnac has eight goals and six assists for 14 points through 27 games played.
Rounding out the Storm trio is captain Garret McFadden. The fourth-year defenceman has enjoyed playing in front of the Storm faithful as of late, recording four points (one goal, three assists) in his last four home games. The Kincardine, Ontario native is on pace to have one of his best seasons of his OHL career, recording four goals and 12 assists in 27 games this season.
- Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack’s offence is led by third-year forward Petrus Palmu. Recently named to Finlands World Jr. team for the upcoming 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, Palmu sits firmly inside the top-10 in OHL scoring with 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points through 29 games. The veteran forward is just 13 points from surpassing his totals set from his sophomore season.
Right behind Palmu is sophomore centre, Nick Suzuki. A prospect in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, Nick is having a breakout year entering Friday night’s contest second in team scoring and 10th in league scoring. The London native has 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points in 30 games played and is just two goals away from tying his rookie totals. The five-foot-11, 183 -pound center has played well in the Highway Six series this year, recording two goals in three games.
The final Owen Sound player to watch is Kevin Hancock. The Mississauga native sits third in team scoring with 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 30 games. The five-foot-11, 180-pound winger is on pace to more than double his point total from last season, Hancock is already two points shy of matching his point total from last season in 36 fewer games. Currently, inside the top-50 in league scoring, Hancock has been slowed down by the Storm with just one point in the three games.
Game Notes
- This will be the fourth meeting of the between Guelph and Owen Sound, the Storm lead the season series 2-1
- Storm forward Isaac Ratcliffe enters Friday on a four-game point streak, recording five goals and one assist for six points in that span.
- James McEwan enters Friday night with a three-game point streak, recording a point in all but one game since his return to the line-up.
- Chase Campbell is projected to make his Owen Sound debut, recently acquired from the Ottawa 67’s.
- Chase Campbell (Waterloo, ON) and Nick King (Waterloo, ON) will be playing close to home when they visit the Sleeman Centre.
Upcoming Events…
- This week the Storm play at home on Friday, December 9 against the Owen Sound Attack and on Sunday, December 11, versus the Kingston Frontenacs, giving Storm fans the chance to take advantage of the Weekend Pass ticket deal! For more information on the Weekend Pass deal, click here!
- December 11 vs. Kingston Frontenacs: The annual Teddy Bear Toss games sponsored by Brent Johnson of Wellington Motors, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Fiat, for more information, click here! For tickets call or visit the Storm Box Office in Old Quebec St. Shoppes, (519) 837-9690 or online HERE!
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The 2016-17 Season is proudly presented by RBC.
