Game Preview: Storm head west for midweek matchup versus the Sting
It’s a mid-week clash as the Guelph Storm travel to Sarnia to kick off a three-game week for a 7:05 PM puck drop.
After splitting their first two matchups to start the last month of 2016, the Guelph Storm (10-15-2-1, 5th Midwest) have a busy week in store, with three games on the schedule. The first game takes place Wednesday night when the Storm take on the Sarnia Sting (15-10-3-0, 3rd West).
Guelph will look to rebound after losing their last time out to the Peterborough Petes. Boasting one of the strongest power play in the league, the Storm have the fifth best power play percentage on the road and will face the Sting’s penalty kill unit that sits in the middle of the league.
Taking a look at the other side, the Sting have won their last two games both in coming by way of the shootout. Six of their past 10 games have been decided by one goal, with four of them needing extra time. Hovering atop of the conference to start the season, the Sting now sit sixth in the western conference and will look to keep pace in the tight conference race.
Both teams will look to take the first matchup of a series that has been even over the last five years with both teams winning eight games.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
Player Watch
- Guelph Storm
The Storm’s offence continues to be powered by sophomore winger Isaac Ratcliffe, sitting inside the top-50 in league scoring. The London native enters the midweek clash with a three-game point streaking registering a goal in all three games. Maintaining his strong start to the season, Ratcliffe also leads the team in plus/minus with a +13 rating. On the season, the six-foot-six, 195-pound forward has 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points through 28 games played.
Veteran forward James McEwan brings a streak of his own into Wednesday night’s game scoring in both games last weekend for the Storm. The Chatham native has registered points in four of five games since returning to the lineup, McEwan continues to be one of the hottest forwards in the lineup. The five-foot-11, 196-pound forward has seven goals and five assists for 12 points in 18 games.
Looking at last season’s series between the two teams, one of the players who regularly found the score sheet was veteran Givani Smith, registering points in two of three games. The Toronto native missed the score sheet in both games last week, but continues to be a big piece of the offence currently second on the team in points and leads the team in shots. The six-foot-two, 209-pound forward has 15 goals and seven assists for 22 points in 25 games, while registering 105 shots on goal.
- Sarnia Sting
Leading the way for the Sting’s offence is St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou, who’s currently 12th in league scoring. Now in his third-year in the OHL, Kyrou is on pace to nearly double his point totals set in his sophomore season. The Toronto native has 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 26 games this season. In four games against the Storm last season, Kyrou recorded four goals and four assists for eight points in four games.
Right behind in scoring is veteran Nikita Korostelev, who’s on pace for his best year in the OHL. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect had a tremendous start to the season, and at one point carried a seven-game point streak, since then the Moscow native has cooled off a bit but still finds himself inside the top-20 in league scoring. The six-foot-one, 201-pound forward has 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points through 26 games played.
Rounding out the Sting scoring trio is center, Anthony Salinitri, a prospect of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Windsor native is in the midst of a breakout campaign, just six points back from surpassing his sophomore totals. In his third full OHL season, Salinitri has 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points in 26 games.
GAME NOTES
- The midweek contest will be the first of four meetings between the Storm and the Sting.
- Isaac Ratcliffe enters Wednesday night with a three-game point streak.
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.
