Game Stories: Storm fall in physical battle with Rangers
It wasn’t quite the result the Guelph Storm were hoping for as they opened the New Year with a clash against Highway Seven rivals, the Kitchener Rangers. The Storm failed to get much going falling 5-2 in the fifth installment of the Highway Seven series.
Rookie goaltender Anthony Popovich made his fifth straight start for the Storm, facing the young Rangers goalie Luke Richardson.
Kitchener was off to a great start to open the game, as they dominated play early on. They would get on the board first as Darby Llewellyn beat Popovich to grab the early lead.
Continuing to build momentum, the Rangers would add to their lead as Adam Mascherin did what he does best, finding the back of the net to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
Late in the period, the Storm would head to the power play but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
The score through 20 minutes was 2-0 in favour of the Rangers while also outshooting the Storm 19-12.
The Storm entered the second period looking to get back into the game but were unable to generate any quality chances.
At the 8:24 mark in the period Frank Hora would give Kitchener the 3-0 lead off a turnover at the Storm blueline.
The Storm would outshoot the Rangers in the period but were unable to get the puck past Richardson.
After two periods of play, the Rangers led 3-0 while also leading in shots 29-23.
Once again, the Rangers scored on a quick strike from Joseph Garreffa just 16 seconds into the period.
The Storm started to show signs of life, when Barret Kirwin beat Richardson through the five-hole, just two minutes into the period.
Just two minutes later it was the Storm again cutting into the Rangers lead on a goal from Nate Schnarr, off of a heads up play by Ryan Merkley.
This proved to be too little too late, as the comeback bid came to an abrupt end on Garreffa’s second goal of the game with eight minutes left in the period, to secure the 5-2 victory.
Final shots were 40-39 in favour of the Storm.
With the loss, the Storm fall to 14-19-2-2, while the Rangers improve to 22-12-1-1.
The Storm will look for better fortunes as they host the Windsor Spitfires in the important Western Conference battle. For tickets call or visit the Storm Box Office in Old Quebec St. Shoppes, (519) 837-9690 or online HERE!
Upcoming Events…
- This week the Storm play at home Friday, January 6 against the Memorial Cup hosts Windsor Spitfires and on Sunday, January 8, versus the Sudbury Wolves, giving Storm fans the chance to take advantage of the Weekend Pass ticket deal! For more information on the Weekend Pass deal, click here
GAME NOTES
- With the loss, the Storm fall to 4-1 in the Highway Seven Series, against the Kitchener Rangers.
- Storm forward Barret Kirwin and Nate Schnarr have now scored in back-to-back games.
Kitchener Rangers 5 at Guelph Storm 2 – Status: Final
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 – Sleeman Centre
Kitchener 2 1 2 – 5
Guelph 0 0 2 – 2
1st Period-1, Kitchener, Llewellyn 9 (Henderson, Roberts), 5:29. 2, Kitchener, Mascherin 26 (Garreffa, Hora), 13:33. Penalties-Bunnaman Kit (tripping), 14:11; Stevens Gue (tripping), 18:50.
2nd Period-3, Kitchener, Hora 1 8:24. Penalties-Roberts Kit (holding), 12:14; Llewellyn Kit (holding), 18:24; Samorukov Gue (tripping), 18:50.
3rd Period-4, Kitchener, Garreffa 10 (Di Perna, Damiani), 0:16. 5, Guelph, Kirwin 2 (Carroll, Stevens), 2:24. 6, Guelph, Schnarr 10 (Merkley), 4:24. 7, Kitchener, Garreffa 11 (Mascherin, Di Perna), 12:07 (PP). Penalties-Bunnaman Kit (roughing), 2:36; Burghardt Gue (roughing), 2:36; Bunnaman Kit (roughing), 4:36; Smith Gue (roughing), 10:16; Kohn Kit (holding), 10:46; Michnac Gue (tripping), 11:47; Smith Gue (roughing), 13:18; Kohn Kit (roughing, roughing), 15:01; Meireles Kit (roughing), 15:01; Carroll Gue (roughing), 15:01; Schnarr Gue (roughing), 15:01; Henderson Kit (misc-usc), 15:57; Hora Kit (roughing), 15:57; Burghardt Gue (game misc-phys. abuse of off (cat iii)), 15:57; Hotchkiss Gue (roughing), 15:57; Smith Gue (misc-usc), 15:57.
Shots on Goal-Kitchener 19-11-9-39. Guelph 12-13-15-40.
Power Play Opportunities-Kitchener 1 / 4; Guelph 0 / 5.
Goalies-Kitchener, Richardson 2-0-0-0 (40 shots-38 saves). Guelph, Popovich 6-7-0-1 (39 shots-34 saves).
A-3,781
Referees-T.J. Foster (29), Ben Moser (18).
Linesmen-Jean-Francois Menard (52), Brady Fagan (70).
3 STARS
- KIT Joseph Garreffa
- KIT Frank Hora
- GUE Ryan Merkley
