Game Stories: Storm doubled up by Spirit
On Sunday, November 27, the Guelph Storm traveled across the border to take on the Saginaw Spirit in a Sunday afternoon clash. The Storm were looking to bounce back after a tough loss to divisional rival, the London Knights just 24 hours earlier. However, the Spirit had other plans, handing the Storm a 4-2 loss.
In goal for the royal city was veteran Liam Herbst, after having last night off. Meanwhile, the Spirit looked to rookie Brendan Bonello Storm turned to Liam Herbst in the third game of their three-in-three, while Saginaw countered with rookie Brendan Bonello.
Early on in the first, the Storm and Spirit traded chances, with both teams playing a physical game to open the period.
It would be Saginaw who would strike first as Mitchell Stephens jumped all over a loose puck in the Storm crease to pot his 10th goal of the year.
The lead, however, would be short-lived as just four minutes later the star of Saturday’s game, Givani Smith, fired a wrist shot past Bonello for his fourth goal in two games. Tying the game at one.
The two teams would continue to trade chances for the rest of the period but Bonello and Herbst made sure the game went to the first intermission tied at one.
Shots after 20 minutes were 12-6 in favour of the home squad.
Both teams continued to battle looking to break the tie which came at the midway point of the period. While on the power play, sophomore forward Isaac Ratcliffe potted a rebound off the left pad of Bonello to give Guelph their first lead of the game with the just 8:58 remaining in the frame.
However, the lead was short-lived as just two minutes later, rookie Damien Giroux fired a wrist shot over the shoulder of Herbst to tie the game at two.
After 40 minutes of play, Saginaw held the edge in shots 27-21.
Both Guelph and Saginaw came out for the third period hungry to get the win. The game remained tied until a familiar face broke the tie when former Storm captain C.J Garcia hammered his fourth goal of the season past Herbst to put the Spirit up 3-2.
Saginaw would add an insurance marker with 55 seconds remaining when Hayden Hodgson slid the puck into the empty net.
Herbst made 36 saves in the loss, while Bonello made 27 saves for the win.
Final shots were 40-29 for Saginaw.
The Storm fall to 9-14-2-1, while the Spirit improve to 8-13-2-1.
The Storm return to action on Friday, December 2, when they host the Erie Otters for the annual Holiday Toy Drive in support of Emma’s Toy Drive. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM. Get your tickets by visiting or calling the Guelph Storm Box Office at (519) 837-9690 or click here!
GAME NOTES
- This was the 3rd meeting of the season between Saginaw and Guelph. The Storm currently lead the season series 2-1.
- Givani Smith scored in his second straight game, following his hat trick against London.
- The Spirit’s win was the first career win for Saginaw rookie goaltender Brendan Bonello.
Guelph Storm 2 at Saginaw Spirit 4 – Status: Final
Sunday, November 27, 2016 – Dow Event Center
Guelph 1 1 0 – 2
Saginaw 1 1 2 – 4
1st Period-1, Saginaw, Stephens 10 (Hodgson, Giroux), 12:25. 2, Guelph, Smith 15 (Ratcliffe, Rhodes), 16:51. Penalties-Bennett Sag (interference), 12:49.
2nd Period-3, Guelph, Ratcliffe 10 (Carroll, McFadden), 11:02 (PP). 4, Saginaw, Giroux 5 (Stephens, Middleton), 13:40. Penalties-Smith Gue (roughing), 0:40; Bennett Sag (tripping), 2:26; Giroux Sag (holding), 10:04.
3rd Period-5, Saginaw, Garcia 4 (Maksimov, Hill), 6:31. 6, Saginaw, Hodgson 8 19:05 (EN). Penalties-Hodgson Sag (interference), 11:08; served by Kirwin Gue (too many men), 14:00.
Shots on Goal-Guelph 6-15-8-29. Saginaw 12-15-13-40.
Power Play Opportunities-Guelph 1 / 4; Saginaw 0 / 2.
Goalies-Guelph, Herbst 6-9-2-1 (39 shots-36 saves). Saginaw, Bonello 1-3-1-0 (29 shots-27 saves).
A-2,243
Referees-Brent Coulombe (22), Ryan Harrison (3).
Linesmen-David Cianfrini (45), Chris Chapman (50).
3 Stars
- SAG Brendan Bonello
- GUE Liam Herbst
- SAG Damien Giroux
